Scripture – Matthew 18:15-20 NRSVUE
15 “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. 16 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. 17 If that person 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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
From Barb Parker
Most of our summer Contemplation and Conversation pieces so far, have reflected on scriptures from Mathew, Chapters 10-18, which cover the time of Jesus’s “Public Ministry “in Galilee. There are many well known parables, teachings and even a couple of miracles from this impactful time of his Ministry. I’ve chosen to continue this theme, with todays scripture from Matthew 18, which the Good News Bible entitles “A Brother Who Sins” and “Prohibiting and Permitting”.
In trying to think through the first passage (15-17, I had to first ask myself, who is my “brother or sister” and then what actually is a “sin”? (Each of these questions could probably be a whole Sermon in themselves!)
The hymn, “Who is my Mother, Who is my Brother”, helped me understand that the “brother or sister” referred to in the first passage, is someone who is a part of our spiritual family, a fellow believer; this is a much broader concept than someone who is my sibling. Our special bond with our brothers or sisters in Christ makes for a deeper relationship, one that is distinct from that which we would probably have with our “neighbour”. Jesus said our neighbour is any person we meet, even a stranger or enemy.
Does this mean that we have a higher duty of forgiveness, and an obligation to work out any disagreements within our church family, than say with a work colleague or golf buddy? Perhaps, but maybe we also have better tools to help us discern and talk through these situations given the many teachings of Jesus we could think on.
When first thinking about “sin”, I was not sure that there would be any examples from my current, or past church families as I couldn’t recall any minor, let alone significant incidences, of what I thought might be a “sin” against me personally. Going deeper into definitions, Google says that according to the bible, sin is” any action, feeling, thought, or failure to act” that goes against God’s holy law, character and standards. I guess that’s why we confess our “thoughts, words and deeds”! Google further suggests that there are sins of commission (things forbidden) and sins of omission (not doing the right things) …. hmmh. The original Greek and Hebrew translation of sin is to “miss the mark”. So, in simple words, sin can be crossing a line, missing the target, choosing my own selfish way instead of God’s way. Well that helped me think more broadly! Guilty as charged, if even my thoughts could be considered sins…. YIKES!
Now, as to the remedy suggested by Jesus, I agree, that if I think I have been wronged, then of course, I first need to talk privately about it with my “brother or sister” and try to reach an understanding as to why I felt that way, and what the issue is. Then, forgive and forget! I think it would have to be something reasonably serious for me to go the next step Jesus suggests, and involve one or two other church members, or failing that, to the whole church body! I can’t envision that, but obviously our M & P committees and other Church Courts exist because there must have been very serious matters in the past. The final remedy of treating someone as a pagan or tax collector does not seem relevant to me for today’s world.
The Prohibiting and Permitting verses 18-20, seem to me to be very logical advice, aligning the expected standards of behavior for both heaven and earth. The last verse offers comforting words of assurance, that where two or three come together in His name, He is there also. Initially, I was puzzled as to why these two parts (verses 15-17 and 18-20) are included together in the Lectionary, for Sept 6, and were back-to-back in Chapter 18. Perhaps the” two or three” who come together, as referenced in verses 19 and 20 could mean the same for” two or three witnesses” in verse 16?
In today’s scripture reading, Jesus is simply promising he will be there with us to help us in our church family relationships and provide guidance for doing our best in our day to day lives.
Contemplation and Conversation
Have you experienced any sins against you by a member of your church family? Were you able to reconcile with them? Was your church family helpful and supportive to you both? Does this scripture apply to our relationships with our “blood” families?
Prayer
Loving God, help us follow the words of your Son, Jesus.
Guide our thoughts, words and deeds to be the best person we can be.
When we fall short, and if we hurt others, may we be reconciled,
through your grace and with the knowledge of your sure presence. Amen.
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