Sermon Index
September 6, 2020
Matthew 18:15-20Jesus told about the Good Shepherd that leaves the 99 sheep on the hillside and searches until He finds and brings home the lost sheep. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells us how to search for the lost brother or sister. As there is joy in heaven when such a sheep is found, there is also joy in our hearts when those with whom we have a bond or relationship are restored and reconciled with us.
This brother or sister is lost, but not completely: we know where they are. We can still feel the pain of the hurt they caused us. Call it a fault, call it a sin, maybe it is a bad personality trait or an annoying habit. There has been something that has separated this person from us. We feel hurt and angry. So what do we do? Do we nurture a grudge or build a wall to keep them away? Are we looking for a way to get rid of that person? Or are we looking for a way to make friends again? Classically, there are two ways to utilize this passage in Matthew 18: law and legalism, or, gospel and love.
We remember the teaching on forgiveness when Peter asked Jesus, "How many times must I forgive my brother, 7 times?" And Jesus answered, "70 x 7" that is, repeatedly without limit. But it is hard to forgive like that, and we want to find a limit, so people look at today's words of Jesus and say, "I have to try only three times." There are many church constitutions and bylaws that give Matthew 18 as the guide to kick out members. First, talk privately with the sinner, then take two or three witness, and then take it to the church council before excommunicating the sinner. This is used against heretics and other people who have given scandal to the church. Maybe there is a proper time to use Matthew 18 like this, but it is never nice..
I am sure that Jesus did not want to teach the 'Three Steps to Excommunication." He wanted to teach the 'The Three Steps to Rescue the Lost Sheep." First, he says, go to the brother or sister that has sinned against you. This is a private talk so no one will be embarrassed. Sometimes if the two of you can talk, you can come to an understanding of the problem and find a solution. Perhaps the sinner will say, "I am sorry. I didn't know I offended you! I will try to be more careful." Here we have confession, repentance, and forgiveness and reconciliation! And there is joy in heaven and on earth when the lost sheep is brought home! But if a private talk doesn't come to a good solution, Jesus says to take a couple of people with you next time. Jesus quotes a passage from the Old Testament, (Deut. 19:15) which is referring to courts of law. This shows that reconciliation is as serious as a court of law. Choose whom to take with you carefully. Find someone who is respected and wise and experienced in dealing with people, someone who can advise you, someone like a Christian counselor would be good. Our goal is not to find legal evidence against the brother, but to find a common ground to rebuild a relationship upon. Finally, if there is still no progress, tell the whole thing to the church. This is not for gossip, it is for prayer. The congregation needs to be united in prayer to bring the lost sheep back to the fold. There is power when we unite in prayer. The Christian prayer is always a prayer of love and a desire to save the lost. Jesus gives confidence to the Congregation when it prays together. Jesus says in the last words of our text. "And so I tell all of you: what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. And I tell you more: whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them." With words of prayer and acts of kindness, when our sinful brother or sister sees the love and concern of the body of Christ, he or she might find courage to come home, may find strength to change the sinful way of life, to fight the bad habits, to make friends again. If this does not work, then, Jesus says, "Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat him as though he were a Gentile (i.e., pagan) or a tax collector."
A good Jew would not talk to or do business with a foreigner or someone like a tax collector who worked with the hated Romans. Such people were ignored if possible as being outside of God's salvation. The trouble with this text comes at this point. Jesus came to save all people. He died on the cross to save all people. In his death and resurrection there is reconciliation for all who believe and accept him as their Savior. Jesus was a friend of tax collectors. At one time he told the Jews, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you." (Mt.21:31). The author of this Gospel Book is Matthew, who had been a tax collector. But Jesus loved him and brought him to salvation. Many of the readers of this book had been Gentile pagans before becoming Christians. So, even if the church should excommunicate someone, that does not mean that the gates of hell are shut against that person. It means that that person has become a member of the mission field, one for whom the church prays and speaks the Gospel.
So, I think the teaching of this Gospel passage is this: never give up on reconciliation. Jesus doesn't. We keep sinning but he keeps trying to keep us in the fellowship. The Gospel lesson starts with these words, “If your brother sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back." But you know what, it is very possible that we ourselves are the sinning brother or sister. Perhaps someone has gotten the courage to come to us. They say, "Brother Mike, Pastor Nearhood, I want to talk to you about something. What you said offended me. What you did bothers me." Before it gets to steps number two and three, now is the chance for reflection and understanding. We could end all hope of peace if we get all upset and angry and start yelling, "Who are you to criticize me?" Actually we might not be wrong, the other person might be. But that person is upset and bothered; it is a sign that our relationship is not good. So if we talk in private, or perhaps with a couple of trusted friends, maybe we can work things out. Add the prayers of the church. Jesus is with us as we pray, to bless our prayers. And as we pray for reconciliation and peace, the Holy Spirit will guide us and bring us together to the Table of Lord where we celebrate in the unity which he created in his death and resurrection.
Amen!
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church