Matthew 18
-As the disciples came to Capernaum they were arguing about
which of them was the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and asked Jesus to
settle the dispute (Matthew 18:1-6, Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-47). Jesus knew
their prideful heart’s condition and settled the matter by bringing a small
child before them with these words, “Truly I say to you, unless you are
converted and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom
of Heaven (Matthew 18:3-4).” He then relates to them how anyone who receives a
child, receives Him and the One (the Father) who sent Him. He also warns them
that whoever causes one such child to stumble, it would be better for them to
have a heavy millstone (weight) hung around their neck and be drowned in the
depth of the sea (Matthew 18:6). *Application*
Jesus was cutting right to the heart of the matter in exposing motivations and
intentions. Humility is the key for us as believers to be great in the eyes of
the LORD. His authority is what we must submit to and faithfully serve one
another (Galatians 5:13). It is by humble childlike faith that we come to Jesus
and receive what He has for us without pretense or ulterior motives. We must
rely on Him for everything just as a child depends on his/her parents for
sustenance and provision. This is the point Jesus is making to His prideful,
self-absorbed disciples. How about you? How will you pursue greatness in the
Kingdom of God?
-Now the theme of stumbling blocks (people that cause others
to do wrong, Jesus is primarily speaking of the false religious teachers more
than likely here) is discussed by Jesus with a warning that it is inevitable
that they come (Matthew 18:7). Their doom is fatal and certain and there is
clear warning for them not to do what they do in leading little children
astray. *Application* It always
grieves my spirit to hear of parents, leaders, and teachers of the young who do
not use their influence in a Godly way. In fact the news is filled with
horrific crimes that are committed against the young and innocent almost
constantly. Take this warning seriously. You have a part in training up the
next generation. They will stumble if you neglect the Lord’s command.
-The warning against being a stumbling block revolves around
temptation (Matthew 18:8-9). I don’t believe this is a literal application
Christ is promoting in these verses, but an awareness that sin indeed is to be
dealt with in seriousness to the utmost. He is teaching on the eternal reality
of separation from God and the consequences of unforgiven sin in a person’s
life. *Application* We must eradicate sin in our lives no matter what the
cost. The intensity of sin should bring us face to face with the fact that God
will not tolerate it. Conforming to His image means that we consider the
members of our flesh as dead to self and alive unto God (Romans 6:1-14). By His
grace we are saved to go and sin no more (John 8:11)!
-As Christ teaches on, He warns against looking down on
others with despising hearts (Matthew 18:10). “The Son of Man has come to save
that which was lost (Matthew 18:11).” The heart of God is shown in this passage
as He desires that none perish (Matthew 18:14). The rescue effort is on in
earnest, and when that lost one is found there is great rejoicing as they are
brought back into the fold of the Lord. There is great celebration over the
lost being found in both earth and Heaven. *Application*
Repentance is the changing of the mind away from sin and the things of the
world towards the mind of Christ and the ways of the LORD. The Lord loves your
return to Him and all that entails. He is seeking you out because He loves you
and wants to rescue you from the destruction of the enemy. When you come to Him
and receive His grace through faith know that there is tremendous rejoicing
from on High and in every place where the Spirit of the Lord reigns! What a
concept this is to internalize! This is what the Kingdom message is all about!
-The next section, on the theme of forgiveness (Matthew
18:15-35), starts out with instructions on the proper process of reproving a
brother in Christ who has sinned (some latter manuscripts add the phrase
“against you” to emphasize a personal offense). One on one loving confrontation
in private is the first step in the process. If that doesn’t resolve the
conflict, one or two Christian negotiators are recommended so that every fact
may be confirmed. Then, if need be, the offender is to be brought before the
congregation in the family of God to get restoration and forgiveness. If the
person won’t repent after these three positive steps, they are to be treated as
an outsider (in context a Gentile or tax collector that is outside a covenant
relationship with the Lord). The end result of this process is the biblical
theme of unity under God’s direction in His body, the church. There should be
agreement, and in this context of gathering together in His Name, Christ is
there by His presence to bind the believers together (Matthew 18:20). *Application* This simple principle,
when used, will resolve practically every conflict which occurs in the church
of the Living God. The problems come when we circumvent this process and get
too many other people involved too soon. One on one loving reconciliation
typically solves the issues. Conflict expands and hurt occurs when gossip and
taking sides occurs too early in the process. Resolve in your heart to abide by
this Matthew 18 principle in reconciling problems caused by sin in your local
body of Christ. Sin will happen, but we can live together in harmony if we will
lovingly call it out and deal with it God’s way.
-Then we find Peter asking the Lord how many times he shall
pardon his brother who has sinned against him thinking that seven times should
be sufficient. Jesus extends that to seventy times seven, which is biblically a
number for completion and rest. What He was meaning is that there should be
complete forgiveness against your brother no matter how many times he sins
against you. Then He related a parable of an unmerciful servant to His
disciple.
-There was a king who was owed ten thousand talents (a
talent was worth more than 15 years’ wages of a laborer) by his servant. His
servant begged for patience and forgiveness upon the debt that was owed and
received it with the promise to repay everything in time. The king showed him
compassion, but the servant went out and found one of his fellow slaves who
owed him money (100 denarii, or 100 day’s wages) and began to grab and choke
the slave demanding payback. When the slave asked for mercy and patience
himself, the servant was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he
could be paid back what was owed. The fellow slaves were deeply grieved by this
event and went and reported to their lord all that had happened. Upon hearing
of the servant’s unforgiving spirit, the king summoned him before him and
rebuked the servant for not forgiving and not showing mercy as he had been
forgiven and given patience. The king, moved with anger, handed the servant
over to the torturers until he should repay all he was owed. Jesus then said
the Heavenly Father will do the same to us, if we do not forgive our
brother/sister from the heart (Matthew 18:35). *Application* What debt have you been forgiven by the Lord of lords
and King of kings? How have you extended that grace to others who have wronged
you in this life? It is vitally important as we see here in Scripture by the
words of Jesus to forgive completely from the heart every single wrong that has
been done to us. Just as He commands in His model prayer, we must forgive as we
have been forgiven (Matthew 6:12). Show all the mercy, grace, compassion, and
love our Heavenly Father shows and you will have nothing to fear.
No comments:
Post a Comment