Matthew 18:6–7, 10–22

Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

A Caring Community
Matthew 18:6–7, 10–22
An oft-quoted axiom is: “They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Without question, demonstrated care for one another must be a reality within our local churches. Jesus said that His disciples would be known for their love for one another, and He quoted Leviticus 19:18 (loving our neighbor) as the commandment second only to Deuteronomy 6:5 (loving God). One of the greatest indictments would be for anyone to say of our congregation: “No one cares for my soul” (Ps. 142:4).

Caring Through Influence (6–7)
The disciples tended to compete, even in receiving attention from Jesus. On one occasion, they came to Jesus and asked whom the greatest one was in the kingdom of heaven. When Jesus responded by showing them a little boy, they were confused. Become like children? Was Jesus being serious? Certainly He was speaking of childlike faith, trusting God implicitly. Jesus warned against individuals who have a negative influence. Using picturesque language, He said that it would be more preferable to drown with a grindstone hung around the neck than to face the judgment of leading believers astray. We show care when we intentionally influence others by modeling and mentoring discipleship. The passage continues with Jesus using hyperbole to emphasize the need for being careful in living out our faith. One would be better off losing a hand or a foot or an eye than to tear down the testimony of another believer.

Caring Through Attention (10–14)
Jesus demonstrated care by giving attention to people. As His followers, we have the responsibility to make ourselves available for those who need care. In this passage, Jesus used the illustration of a shepherd with a flock of 100 sheep. One of them goes astray, so he goes looking for it. As a shepherd gives attention to straying sheep, local church congregations need to give attention to believers who wander off, as well as to lost sheep who have never been gathered into a flock. This same illustration is employed in Luke 15, where Jesus offered three parables regarding the lost: a lost coin, a lost sheep and a lost son.

Caring Through Reconciliation (15–20)
In this passage, one must note that the intention of church discipline is winning back a brother to fellowship. When a fellow believer sins, rebuke him or her privately. Jesus did not say pass it around or tell the deacons or a pastor or the prayer chain. If there is no repentance, then return to the brother with witnesses so that your words are established. Once again, reconciliation is to be the goal. When the person still does not repent, then the situation is brought before the congregation. After that, if there is no change, he or she is to be treated as a person in need of salvation. By grace through faith in Jesus, we are reconciled to the Father. Within each local congregation, we must experience unity with God and with one another. When we gather unified in the name of Jesus, He makes Himself known among us.

Caring Through Forgiveness (21–22)
Peter asked if seven was an appropriate number of times to offer forgiveness. Jesus’ response showed the overwhelming measure of God’s forgiveness, as well as the immense displeasure God has when people called by His name do not reflect His gracious and forgiving nature. The parable of the unforgiving slave indicates both of these truths. One slave owes the king a boatload of money, but he begs for mercy and the king forgives his entire debt. This same slave then goes to a fellow slave and attempts to extract a relatively small debt owed to him. When the second slave pleads for mercy, the first offers none. As the events are discussed around the palace, the king hears of the latest incident and withdraws the debt pardon.

What good is it to share about the mercy of God if we are merciless toward one another? What sense does it make to speak of the love of God if we act like we hate each other? Let us demonstrate our care for others through living a testimony of godly influence, attention, reconciliation and forgiveness.