MATTHEW 18

JESUS TEACHES THE DISCIPLES ABOUT SIN + FORGIVENESS

Debating amongst themselves, the disciples ask Jesus who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Instead of giving them a direct answer, Jesus expresses His value of humility. Those who have childlike humility, faith, and wonder will be the ones to inherit God’s kingdom. Jesus says that those who cause the faithful to sin are better off drowning in the sea. Because Jesus loves His followers, He hates the sin that causes them to stumble.

Continuing His warning against sin, Jesus warns against temptation. Using the example of hands, feet, eyes, and ears, Jesus encourages removing temptations and causes to sin. Although Jesus is not literal in this message or advocating for self-harm, He is encouraging self-denial in areas that are common temptations for sin.

Using the beautiful imagery of a shepherd leaving his ninety-nine sheep to find the one that has gone missing, Jesus tells of God’s continual pursuit of humanity. Just as a shepherd would seek out his missing animal, God desires closeness and relationship with His people.

Jesus gives direction for settling conflict with someone who has caused another harm. First, the one who has been wronged should address the person directly. If their message is not received well, they are to try again accompanied by another person to moderate the situation. If there is still no resolution, the congregation of God’s people or the church leaders can attempt to bring reconciliation. When two or more believers are gathered, God promises to be among them.

Peter asks Jesus how much forgiveness is required of God’s people. Peter assumes it is as many as seven times. Still, Jesus challenges him to be more forgiving, up to seventy-seven times (some translations say seventy times seven times, totaling four hundred and ninety times!).

In response to Peter’s question of forgiveness, Jesus tells a parable of an unforgiving servant. In the parable, there was a servant who owed the king ten thousand talents, an amount comparable to millions of dollars today. The servant begged for mercy and forgiveness, and the king graciously forgave his extensive debt.

Not long after his debts were forgiven, the servant went to find another servant who was indebted to him. When the man asked him for forgiveness for his debts, comparable to a thousand dollars today, the servant was merciless and unforgiving. Instead of freeing him of his debts, the servant had the man thrown in prison. When the king heard this, he confronted the servant and was enraged with his hypocrisy and insensitivity. The king reinstated the servant's debt and had him thrown in prison, preventing him from ever paying it back.

Jesus uses this parable to express God’s limitless forgiveness and challenges His followers to respond with the same forgiveness they have been shown. God desires to bring people forgiveness that causes them to be forgiving of others.