Matthew Eighteen

Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse.

In this chapter, Jesus begins by answering the disciples question, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?" Jesus talks about how important it is to become like a little child - simple and elemental. Adults complicate things, including the Gospel. We need to treat child-like believers with love and respect. We can learn from them. And, they experience their own hard times - let's not make things worse for them.

The middle of this chapter talks about working things out between fellow believers. If 1 of the 99 wanders away, Jesus tells us to leave the rest to search for the one.

Practically, what do you think that looks like? Do we put any effort into reaching out to those who have left the flock?

The next few verses are often used as the "Church Discipline" verses. It's a step by step guide to restoring a brother or sister who has sinned against someone else.

1. Go to the person and try to work it out one-on-one.

2. Take one or two people with you and go to the person and try to work it out.

3. Tell the church.

4. Start from scratch. Treat him or her as someone who does not know the Gospel. Confront them with their need to repent of their sin and turn their lives back over to God.

5. Remember: Jesus is with us through the whole process.

Following this example, Peter stands and says, "How many times do I forgive a brother or sister who has hurt me? Seven?"

No, Peter. It is far more than that! Try seventy times seven!

Jesus explains it with a pretty cool parable. The bottom line is if someone is truly repentant, show them mercy and forgive them. Forgiveness is not about the size of the debt or the hurt, it's about the person being truly repentant and asking for forgiveness. Just like God only forgives our sins when we ask Him, we only have to forgive other people when they ask us.

(I know that last line may be controversial, as many of us have learned to forgive others "no matter what." However, how do we forgive someone who never asks for it? I'll do a whole post on this sometime. If you have questions, let's talk about it!)