"Reconcile and Restore”

Scripture: “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. — Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)

In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus gives a powerful reminder that reconciliation takes priority over rituals. Imagine being at church, ready to offer a gift to God, but suddenly realizing there’s a broken relationship in your life. Jesus doesn’t say, “Go ahead and offer your gift first” or “Don’t worry about it right now.” Instead, He challenges us to leave our gift at the altar and make reconciliation our first priority.

God desires that our hearts be pure and our relationships with others be restored. It’s not enough to bring offerings of worship or service if there’s unresolved conflict in our lives. Our relationships with people matter deeply to God. The way we treat others reflects our relationship with Him.

Reconciliation isn’t always easy. It may require humility, vulnerability, and even taking the first step, regardless of who is "right" or "wrong." But when we choose to reconcile, we align our hearts with God’s heart, embracing peace, healing, and unity.

Jesus calls us to prioritize peace over performance. He invites us to restore brokenness before we seek to offer our best to Him. After all, what God truly desires is a heart that loves others well—because that’s how we demonstrate our love for Him.

Reflection: Is there anyone you need to reconcile with? What steps can you take today to restore peace in that relationship?

Prayer: Lord, help me to prioritize reconciliation in my relationships. Give me the courage to seek peace, forgive freely, and restore unity. May my heart reflect Your love, and may I bring You glory through my relationships with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.