Month: September 2020

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (v. 18). We have heard this before in a slightly different way in Matthew 16:19, where Jesus tells Peter and the disciples about the seriousness of the authority they are being given. Jesus is warning them (and us) that our decisions and actions have eternal consequences.

Whether we like it or not, the world views those of us who claim His name as the representation of Jesus. When we behave in un-Christlike ways towards each other it confuses the message He brought. The Apostle Paul writes “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

We may still disagree, but how we treat each other while we handle the issue is essential. Jesus charges us to love one another as He first loved us. We mustn’t let conflict distract us from the goal and responsibility with which we have been entrusted.

Gracious God, You created us in Your image, but we often fail to live into that blessing. Help us to be more like Jesus in our words and actions, loving each other as You love us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

Jesus has led us through progressively wider steps for restoring relationships in this lesson. He gives one last instruction for the process, saying “if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector”. That sounds like a hard break in the connection between the offender and the church, but I don’t believe that’s what Jesus had in mind at all.

During this process the offender has been approached with Christ’s love as a member of His body. If they refuse to see their error because of His love , we must treat them as one who doesn’t know Christ’s love – the tax collectors and Gentiles of that time. It is a double lesson to us that this statement appears in Matthew’s gospel, who was a tax collector when Jesus called him to be a disciple.

Jesus calls us not to shun them but to invite them (back) into the fellowship of believers through our love and acceptance. His love is not limited, and we are to love without limits as well. When someone places themselves outside the body of faith through their actions, it is only through love that they may be rescued.

Loving Lord, we are a people who say we love justice, but we often forget the love that must go with it, seeking to punish offenders as we think they deserve. Help us remember we are all offenders under Your law and the mercy we seek must also be the mercy we offer others. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

Jesus said the church has a role to play in the disagreements we face. It was His intent that His followers be the voice of reason in the disputes of the world. We are called to help those in conflict find a way to peacefully resolve their differences.

This can be a difficult and sometimes dangerous undertaking. Jesus knew the risk we face when we get involved, but Jesus came to get involved and teach us to do likewise. Our efforts to make a difference in the world are part of our task as the disciples of today.

We can’t save ourselves by doing good, rather doing good is our response to being saved by Christ’s love. When we treat others as Jesus did, we show the world His love as a living, breathing act of sharing. Hear His call on your life today and go to do His will!

Loving Lord, we are Your people, responsible to You and each other for our actions. Help us to be good representatives of Your love, sharing the joy of our relationship with You to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:15-20.

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.

Jesus tells us how important personal contact and communication is to understanding each other. However, He also speaks of the need to involve other believers if the situation is not resolved. Sometimes it’s necessary for others to weigh in on matters to be able to reach a solution.

How do you feel when someone asks you to get involved in a disagreement with someone else? Do you find it hard not to take sides? Jesus asks us to be ready as believers to help mediate disputes according to God’s law and the teachings we have been given.

Is it harder for you to ask someone to mediate a dispute in which you are involved? Like many other issues, we tend to think we can fix things ourselves, when asking for help is the right thing to do. Don’t be reluctant to use the gift of other believers when you reach an impasse, it may be the only way to solve the problem. Prayerful exploration of the dispute and the counsel of others you trust is what Jesus teaches us.

Loving Lord, we are sometimes disagreeable creatures, prone to argue and annoy each other. Help us to see the need for Your love in our lives and treating each other the way You have taught us. Amen.