I am looking at Matthew 18. Matthew once again is a genius in putting his gospel together. Everything fits together like a glove (and even that parts that seem not to jive our purposeful and present meaning). In this chapter we begin what will call a section on relationships. Matthew can be viewed in five teaching moments through which Jesus teaches his disciples; the art, flow and way of the kingdom. The first is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) in which Jesus presents the teaching of the kingdom. This is foundational for the church and anyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus. If you want to know what Jesus teaches and believes and is calling humans to be this is the place to start. Following the discipleship teaching, Jesus teaches about the sent-ness of his disciples. Disciples become apostles who share and live the good news of the kingdom. Which brings the obvious spreading of the kingdom in chapter 13. As the kingdom spreads and includes more and more people, things begin to get difficult; how do you relate to those who are totally different from you. How can you be family with those who are culturally distinct from you. Hence the outflow of conversation in Matthew's gospel leads to Jesus' teaching about who is the greatest and the incredible forgiveness being constantly given as part of the kingdom. Not just given by the king, but being lived out through the people who ascribe to his kingdom.
Hence Matthew 18 teaches about the relational aspects of kingdom life. The people within the kingdom are to follow the lead of their king.
1. Disciples are trying to figure out who is going to be top dog (the greatest) in heaven?
2. Jesus responds and begins his teaching about causing people to stumble. Perhaps this pursuit of being the greatest is part of the heart issue that Jesus is talking about... anyone who leads my children down this path is putting a stumbling block in their path. He even goes so far to say you need to brutally specifically cut off the part of you that leads you astray... It's better to enter the kingdom maimed (which Jesus can heal) than to not enter at all. Those who lay their lives down for Christ sake gain life... those who strive to gain and hold and don't let go will certainly lose their life... which reminds me of the first people who sinned according to the Bible in Genesis... Adam and Eve grabbed god-likeness with developing God-like character... in their grasping they lost their lives and we continue that story each day we don't let go. And as we live out that broken, destructive story leading others in a similar pattern we are headed to a literal living hell in this life.
3. Then Jesus takes the conversation for a surprising turn to express the value of that one 'little one' who's been mislead, and now is lost. Jesus speaks as shepherd caring for sheep... how it just makes sense to leave the ninety nine to save, to rescue the one. He assures us that God sees, and that God is seeking his lost potentially hurting sheep. He shares about how joyful that shepherd is when he finds and rescues that one sheep.
4. Then Jesus takes another surprising turn. He teaches the disciples about dealing with someone within the community of faith who trespass against you. Jesus taught earlier about Loving your enemies, but what if they weren't your enemy but your brother or sister or spouse or parent or close friend? Jesus taught about not judging others. He also taught a prayer that is founded on forgiveness as a characteristic of the kingdom of heaven come to earth... he goes so far that if you don't forgive, you won't be forgiven (Matthew 5:43; 6:12-15; 7:1-5).
He presents a pattern for approaching conflict resolution... nothing here is about exerting the self over the other; but sharing what it is that has harmed you and hoping for true reconciliation. At first, it is just between you and the person who trespassed against, who has hurt or offended you. Second if that doesn't work bring along a couple trustworthy witnesses. Probably to hold you accountable not to rub it in the other persons face. And then if that doesn't work share with the church family and seek resolution... If that doesn't work treat them as you would a sinner or tax collector (with love and hospitality - perhaps look back at the sermon on the mount where Jesus teaches turning the other cheek and going the extra mile).
5. Peter interrupts and asks so how many times shall I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?
6. Jesus responds saying 'seventy times seven' a phrase which means countless times.
7. Then Jesus shares a story about a king who is settling his accounts... One man owes an excruciatingly large amount... the king is going to sell him and make him work it off... but the man cries out for mercy... the king is filled with compassion and forgives the debt. Then the man goes out and runs into someone who owes him money... much less, perhaps a days wages... and he has him beaten and thrown into prison... the kings messengers share this with the king... the king releases the other man and puts the first man into prison. Jesus says this is how it works in heaven: If you lead people astray... pursuing this question about greatness which only makes someone out to be a loser, you will experience that in the afterlife... with the same judgment you lived out on earth you will be.
At the heart of this passage is the spirit and living out forgiveness, letting go and not counting it against people... to be like the king whose kingdom we belong to...
Here are a few videos, that are getting me thinking...
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