Day 295 – Matthew 18

Talking Points

• Matthew recorded Jesus’ teaching to His disciples on humility. There are many qualities that distinguish the one true God from false gods and from men. His humility is one of them. In Matthew 18, He explained how it will be your willingness to humble yourself that will determine your place in the kingdom of heaven.
• What a sobering thought – every decision we make, every word we speak, every action has an impact on this and future generations. We are either gathering them to Jesus, or we are scattering them. There is no middle ground.
• Listening to Jesus talk about unity and reconciliation among believers, Peter asked if there is a limit to the forgiveness we should offer. Considering to whom he posed this question, it is almost comical — “Jesus, when is enough forgiveness enough?” Jesus answered with a parable demonstrating that the one forgiven of much should readily and mercifully forgive others. The real question, then and now is really one of humility: “How much have I been forgiven?”.
• Verses 19 and 20 are often misinterpreted — in fact, probably more often than not. Both are tied to and should be interpreted in their immediate context of the ongoing discussion of the chapter: church conflict resolution. The verses state that, as believers seek to honor God in the hard issue of addressing conflict between believers, God blesses the process with His wisdom, His guidance, and even His presence. God is the God of restoration and unity, and He blesses His people when they seek the same.
• The chapter that begins with humility requires it all the way through and teaches disciples of Jesus Christ that it really will be a mark His followers must carry.

Thoughts

The world’s solution (and our selfish nature’s answer) to personal conflict and disagreement is to resort to gossip, slander, and backstabbing. It teaches us to mock, slight, or attack those who offend us. And, it’s all done in a vain and prideful attempt to make ourselves appear justified and blameless in others’ opinion.

But, Jesus teaches something altogether different. And, He leads us to follow His example. Instead of gossiping, He says to speak to your brother in private. Rather than giving someone the silent treatment, waiting on them to figure out why you’re mad, Jesus says to go to him. We aren’t to attack or chew out or berate; we are to show people their fault in a way that they can listen. We are to seek honesty, openness, and restoration. It’s all to be done with patience, mercy, compassion, humility, and love, remembering how the Lord has treated us.

Whatever the offense, “Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that [Jesus] had mercy on you?” (Matthew 18:33)