Red Letters

Matthew 5:23-24
“If therefore you are presenting your offering… and there remember that your brother has something against you… first be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your offering.”

A few in the Old Testament knew that obedience and love were better than sacrifice, and Christ here makes it clear in an application of that principle. Man cannot make God beholden to him by offerings and sacrifices; man is subordinate to God. Cain’s sacrifice is the perfect example of a technically acceptable sacrifice - sheep - which did not please God because of the anger against his brother in his heart.

This imperative is clearly applicable to modern worship and offerings; do not go before God and try to please Him with worship while your brother has something against you.
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Matthew 5:23-24
“Make friends quickly with your opponent at law…”

A proverb on timely importunity. The underlying attitude is one of humility, saying that it is better to settle out of court than to assume that the judge will exonerate you.