Jesus teaches reconciliation in his community. Most Christians and their churches don't practice this. Most church members and church boards aren't committed to it. And hence, the church doesn't look very much like the Kingdom of God much of the time.
At first glance, it is hard to see how verses 15-17 (which are specific instructions on how to reconcile) go with verses 18-20 (which seems to be promising a favorable answer to all prayer), but the two actually do go hand in hand. This is obvious when you get to verse 21 and Peter is still asking about forgiving a church member. I will write about verses 18-20 in tomorrow's blog.
Matthew 18:15-20 15 "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, 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 the member 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." 21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times...
Jesus teaches three steps to reconciliation:
1) If you have been offended, it is your responsibility to initiate reconciliation in private. So go to whomever has offended you with the purpose of making things right between the two of you. Privacy is very important because it keeps chaos from forming in the body of Christ. A person who truly desires reconciliation will do this. In my experience, a person who isn't intent on reconciliation - or who really doesn't have an issue on the up and up - will often spread gossip, create chaos, and garner support rather than following Jesus' instructions.
2) If reconciliation does not occur during your private attempt, then take one or two others with you. The matter is still kept private between just these few. The people you take with you are to both be witnesses to your attempt to reconcile (vs 16), but also to facilitate the reconciliation (vs 17). So they need to be mature spiritually. In our society, we have been taught not to get involved in other people's problems - but not so in Jesus' community. Be willing to walk with those who need reconciliation. It is not an easy journey, but one that Jesus' followers step up to doing. Another thing that often hinders reconciliation is that our society teaches that truth is relative and that each party is probably both right and wrong to an extent... that there are two viewpoints with equal weight. Not so in the kingdom of God. Jesus expects matters to be settled and right and wrong determined based on his teachings. Making everyone happy - through compromise - is not the goal. In fact, compromise is often very destructive to the testimony of the church.
3) Finally if the person who has offended will not reconcile, then the matter is to be made public in the church community. And the church is to speak out on the matter. If the offender will not reconcile, they are to be released from the community of God. This is interesting considering how yesterday's scripture was about how God welcomes those who stray back with open arms. It is important that the church both speaks truth to offenders, but also creates a joyful. loving, and safe place to come home to.
Do we ignore Jesus' command to reconcile to each other? Do we follow the process Jesus teaches or do we do things to thwart the Holy Spirit's reconciling work because we don't really want the fellowship Jesus offers in his community?
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