1. The implication behind Jesus’ statement here is that “little ones” (or kids) have angels in heaven who can always see God. Guardian angels! Cool.
2. In the parable of the lost sheep, we see God’s heart towards the lost. If, by “little ones,” Jesus is talking about children (or maybe all people), we can see that God has the utmost concern for the most lost. And, man, when they are found, God rejoices. That’s cool. I want to have a heart like God’s heart. I know that I need to help all the “church kids” grow in their walks with God, but I also know that God’s heart is to reach those lost kids. So, where should my priorities lie? Where should I be?
3. Here’s an awesome model, a direct instruction, on what to do if someone wrongs you. Jesus doesn’t give us specifics a lot of the time; so, when He does it here, I think our ears should all perk up.
4. How many people actually go to the person who sins against them? That is so un-American. We love to gossip to our friends, avoid people, and allow that severed relationship to get worse and worse. Jesus says go to the person. If the person listens, awesome. I guarantee that a stronger relationship will come out of that. But…what if the person doesn’t listen? OK…first of all, we use that as an excuse to not follow Jesus’ command to go to the person. We can’t assume that they won’t. You know what you’re supposed to do first.
5. If the person doesn’t listen, bring witnesses. This is obviously not to escalate the matter and make it “the news of the day.” This is more for those people to be witnesses. Who knows…maybe they will recognize where you are at fault. And, if you’re truly trying to live for God, wouldn’t you want to know when you are not doing the right thing? Or, is being right more important to you than being righteous?
6. If that person still refuses to listen (with the witnesses), you are supposed to “tell it to the church.” This is an interesting statement. Does this mean that sinners should be pointed out between worship and announcements on Sunday morning? Or, could this mean something else? (Do you think that it might have something to do with the church leadership?)
7. Wow…and, after all that, if the person is still hell-bent on sin, you are supposed to treat the person as if they were a pagan or a tax collector. Hmm…ok. I know how I would treat those people. We’re supposed to think that they’re bad, right? But, isn’t this interesting that it’s recorded in the book of Matthew. Any guesses on what he was before he was a follower of Jesus? If you said “pagan” “tax collector” you are right. So…how did Jesus treat pagans and tax collectors? Is this about Jesus saying, “You’re too holy for that punk”; or is there something here about having compassion and changing your approach?
8. What’s up with the binding and the loosening? Is that kind of like a “what you reap is what you sow” comment?
9. Isn’t it interesting that this statement about two or three people asking for something is right after Jesus talks about how we should assemble two or three people together to keep someone from sinning?
10. Kind of makes you wonder who Peter was having to forgive. Also, yet again, isn’t it interesting that this story about forgiveness is placed right after Jesus’ instructions on how to deal with a sinner.
11. So…there you have it. Not seven times. But seventy-seven times. Hmm…so, if you have forgiven your dog for pooping on the carpet seventy-seven times, and it’s now time seventy-eight– you can kill you dog. Or…am I missing something here? Did Jesus mean something different?
ripple effect: vacaville 