©2003 Pastor Tom Miles

Jesus did not like this question asked of Him and as we will see in the following verses He reprimands the disciples for their desire to place one above the other.

Matthew 18:2-3 Jesus calls a little child to him.  The Greek word used here is “paidion” meaning a child of around 1 to 3 years of age.  So Jesus says unless we change or convert, which means to become another or to be changed, so in other words Christ is saying we are to give up our desire for status and become like the child when it pertains to the things of the kingdom of Heaven.   To become like little children, as Jesus desires us is to have that humble readiness to be reliant on some one other than self.  In other words we must give up our trust and control to the ways of another and that other is Christ!  Think about a little child for a moment.  They will accept virtually everything you give them.  They simply take and ask no questions.  They do not look at what they have and think themselves better than another.  Children of the age in which Jesus speaks are never concerned with who's the best or who has the most.  They are not stuck up and haughty, boasting and raving.  And this is the message Christ wants to stress to us  put others before your self.  Do not worry about what position you hold in the kingdom of Heaven!  If you don't get called on in church to pray or sing or be an usher don't worry about it.  Stop trying to put your self in front of others and worrying about where you stand with God!  When you are in Christ you won't worry about position or status.  Jesus goes on to say that if we worry about these things we will not enter the kingdom of Heaven!  The next phrase Jesus uses “you shall not enter” “ean me / eh-an' may” means literally under no uncertain conditions.  In other words it is totally impossible, absolutely not, in other words folks there is no way it is going to happen!  So if you are worried for or fighting for recognition this will totally keep you from entering the kingdom of heaven!

Matthew 18:4 And now after saying all this Jesus now tells them that the way to greatness is through humility!  So if you want to be great you need to humble yourself as a little child!

Matthew 18:5-6 And here we find Jesus qualifying His statement from verse four.  Jesus now says that anyone that receives which is from the Greek “dechomai” Strongs #1209 meaning to kindly receive or welcome as a friend, teacher, or guest they would receive Him.  Jesus is not meaning to actually receive the child but to learn from the lesson of the child.  In other words folks learn the lesson of humility displayed in the child and receive in Christ’s name.  So if we reject the lesson of the child we reject Christ and if we reject Christ we reject all Christ represents!  And now Jesus goes a step further and tells of the punishment that will come to anyone that rejects His teachings.  Jesus says that if anyone is to reject His teachings and instead teach or convert another to their way of thinking or way of life which isn't a life of humility it would have been better for them to die a terrible death then to suffer the consequences of causing another to sin.  When you reject Christ and go for the power struggle of this world others follow your example and without even realizing it you are causing others to sin.

Matthew 18:7 Jesus makes it very clear that if you are the cause of another stumbling woe to you!  In this world we are confronted daily by temptations and things that will cause us to sin or attempt to cause us to sin.  These things just happen because they are part of the world.  Sin is the result of our being in this world and our desire to hold on to the ways of the world.  The pleasures of sin are simply to pleasing for many and they can attach themselves to strong just as easy as they can to the weak.  “But woe to the man through whom these sins may come” says Jesus!  In other words Jesus is specifically referring to any Believer that causes another to sin.  The next two verses give us a more detailed look at Believers causing others to sin.

Matthew 18:8-9 When one first looks at these verses they sound rather awful.  They give the impression that Jesus is telling us to mutilate ourselves by cutting off our hand or foot but that is not what He means.  Jesus is talking about the root of the sin, which is deep in the heart of the Believer.  It is this sin root that needs to be cut off and done away with.  Remember that the initial thing Jesus speaks of here is causing another to sin and so it is the doing away with anything that would cause this in us so that we may enter the kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus is not maiming us but instead He is doing as the gardener does or the nursery worker, He is pruning away the dead flowers, branches, or leaves that if left would cause us to rot and decay!  Jesus does not want us to be eternally lost.  Jesus would rather we pruned ourselves of the sins in our life then to see us lost forever to hell.  In other words if the only way to avoid hell was to literally cut off your hand or foot because it offended another it would be better for you to do this then to leave it and go to hell.

Matthew 18:10 Jesus now says not to look down on one of these little ones.  The Greek “kataphroneo” Strongs #2706 means “to hold one in contempt, or to despise one.”  So what Jesus is saying to us here is that we should not think that we couldn't sway the thoughts or actions of others because we can and if it leads them to sin shame on us.  Just because a person is humble does not give us authority to treat them in a way that would mislead them causing them to sin.  Jesus says their angels in heaven always see the face of His Father.  It would seem that Jesus is saying that those of His Father’s children have angels watching over them which doesn't mean they necessarily guard them or protect them from all harm but that they are watching over them to minister to them which can help and protect them from all harm if they are willing to listen and abide by the message given them by the angels.  Jesus is also I believe referring here to the fact that Believers, true Believers have a direct line to God!  When one of God’s children are attacked God instantly knows and immediately comes to the assistance of that child calling on Him.
 
Matthew 18:11 It seems that this text in verse 11 was copied from Luke 19:10 and inserted here at Matthew 18:11.  These words do not appear in the earliest manuscripts.  But, its meaning is as follows: Since the whole purpose of Christ coming into the world was to save the lost, we must be cautious as to not cause offenses that would cause the lost to be stay lost.  Christ came for the sinner, to rescue him from the grips of hell we must be cautious that all we do lends to the salvation of the lost.

Matthew 18:12 Now Jesus asks a most profound question and one that is very difficult for the world to accept the concept of also.  Jesus challenges the disciples to carefully listen to what He is about to say.  Remember now that Jesus has already told them and this includes us that it is better to suffer a horrendous death then to cause a Believer to sin.  And it is also most important that we take great care to avoid all things which lead to sin and now with that in mind Jesus says we must also not worry about those that are already saved and living as they should but taking great care to come to the rescue of one that falls into sin.  Those that are saved and living the way they need to live do not need the great attention of the shepherd but the sheep that has gone astray desperately needs the shepherd's attention.

Matthew 18:13 How often have you gone astray and when you returned you found your self being chastised and made to feel so guilty that it basically made you wish you would never have been found?  Jesus says that when the Good Shepherd finds the one lost instead of beating the sheep or sinner for going astray the Good Shepherd is happy and rejoices over having found them.

Matthew 18:14 It is not the Father’s will to see anyone perish.  The Father even loves the one wallowing in sin.  And here in this verse God addresses sin in two ways:
1.      There will be a horrendous punishment for those who lead others into sin (vs 6-7)
2.      God continually seeks after lost souls (vs 12)
Because of God’s view of the sinner and His constant desire to see them reclaimed for the kingdom of Heaven we also should desire to see the sinner redeemed.  God does not want to see anyone lost in sin because being lost in sin means an eternal life of hell's fury!

Matthew 18:15 Now this verse really puts in perspective as to how we as Believers should act!  It says, “if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private.”  We do this in private because we are not trying to shame our brother.  Jesus is instructing us as Believers in how we should act towards those trying to lead us astray or who have sinned against us.  He says we should go to them in private!  Now this does not mean take them aside in front of others or call them out in front of others but instead it means just what it says, in private!  In other words contact them and let them know you want to visit with them privately and then when you visit do it love.  Go to them and tell them you know of their sin.  It is our responsibility to do this.  This is not the way our flesh wants to react though when some one sins against us or we see some one acting out in sin.  But, Jesus says we must be the one to initiate the meeting.  We must go to them if we see it or if we have been sinned against.  And we must do it in private  Just between the two of us.  And when we visit with them we must appeal to them to stop sinning and repent and/or make right the wrong that has been done.  In other words allow them to ask for forgiveness and then give it to them and forget it ever happened and Jesus says if they listen to you and repent then you have done, as the Lord desired of you.

Matthew 18:16 Next Jesus says that after you have gone to your brother and “if he does not listen to you,” in other words if he does not stop sinning then you are to try something else.  Now, I feel I should mention at this point that Jesus is giving us an order of events that we must follow.  We should not take the other steps before doing the first and consecutive steps.  So if the first step of going to your brother does not resolve the issue then you should go to him taking one or two others (Deuteronomy 19:15-21; Numbers 35:30) with you so that a witness other than self can stand alongside you.  And again, it is not to shame them but to reclaim them for God.  Now the ones that you take with you would be others that would be respected and/or leaders of the church and are in agreement that the actions of the one in question are sinful.  This is a way in which you can reaffirm and make stronger your appeal for his repentance.

Matthew 18:17 Jesus next tells us that if the Believer that has sinned does not repent at this time it is then time to go to the next step, which is to take it to the church!  So now we bring the entire matter before the church and all have opportunity to speak their part.  Now this church is the local body of true Believers not a corporate body but simply the local body of Believers.  And if the person still fails to listen and repent we are to treat him as a Gentile or a tax collector.  Now, be cautious here that you do not cast the person away from the church at this point because that is not what Jesus did with Zacchaeus.  We need to follow the example of Jesus from Luke 19:1-10.  Jesus did not discard Zacchaeus but instead extended love to him.  And if it comes to actually having to expel the Believer from the church we should follow the Scriptures also (1 Corinthians 5:1-11 and 2 Corinthians 2:5-11) And we do this in hope to bring the fallen Believer to the point of recognizing his sin and thus to repentance never as a means of punishment or retaliation towards our Brother or Sister.

Matthew 18:18-20 Now many teach here that this verse refers only to Peter but that is not true.  This verse was for all disciples (Matthew 16:19, refers to the Peter and the church, and John 20:23, all have the same power of binding/loosing).  And it goes on to say that all things that we attempt to loose or bind here on earth must be according to what is loosed or bound in Heaven.  In other words if it is improper or unlawful according to God’s law then it is improper or unlawful on earth also.  If it is permitted in Heaven it can be permitted on earth if it is not than it cannot be permitted on earth.  Our rights only go as far as what God’s law states.  We do not have the rights to make new laws to suit our own desires.  Jesus goes on to say, “Again I say to you,” still talking about the same topic from the last few verses, “that if two of you agree on earth,” means if one or two Believers agree as to what to do with the Believer that sinned, or if the church's corporate decision agrees with or is in harmony with the explicit will of God then that will of God shall be levied by and through the church not by an individual alone.  Now many might find room for disagreement with what I will next say but if we are to follow the Word of God in context we will see that this verse is not referring to simply anything but is still referring to the previous verses.  Also in no way am I taking away from the genuine prayer of faith from one or more Believers because that prayer of faith in accordance with God’s Word will be answered, but what I am saying is we must take caution not to remove the full meaning just to make a point.  In other words this particular verse, 19, does not mean that simply because two believers join together and pray for something it is going to happen.  First off if it is out of God’s will it makes no difference if 1000 Believers join together praying!  Secondly, if it is something you or the corporate body is not ready for God is not going to place you in it!  Verse 19 is not full authority for every request by two or more to be answered!  There is a very real danger in taking God’s Word out of context.  Look around today at all the denominations we have and ask your self-why?  The answer is because God’s Word taken out of context has created theologies that are in some instances not only non-Biblical but unsound as well.

And verse 20 refers also directly back to verse 16.  Jesus is saying that if we carry out the procedures, the steps that He gave to us in verses 15 to 18 that decision is just as binding as if Jesus Himself were right there with us making the ruling over the case at hand!  For where two or three are gathered together in my name or unto my name there am I in the midst of them.  This passage of Scripture has been taken to mean basically one thing and one thing only it’s almost as if people forget totally the verses before it.  It is a passage full of encouragement for the Believer to join in union one with another but let us not forget the context in which it was given.  Jesus was speaking of church meetings and the sinning of Believers one against the other or just sinning and another finding out about the sin of the Believer and what we the Church were to do about these actions.

This passage truly does tell us that anytime two unite in the name of Jesus they are not alone.  Jesus tells us that in very simple language but let us not forget that this verse is the concluding verse of a doctrine of Christ on discipline in the Body.  If we took this verse as so many take it to mean that two or more gathered together will bring about more than just you alone praying it would take away from the whole text of God’s Word to us. Individual prayer can bring about just as much as corporate prayer.  The corporate prayer though bears witness to a matter or matters that need such testimony!  The prayer of the church for the salvation or reclaiming of the soul of a lost Brother or Sister fallen into sin needs the witness of more than just one in case exclusion from the church becomes necessary.   Also we must remember that amongst the disciples there was some concern as to who would be more important in the kingdom of Heaven!  And this concern over importance in the eyes of the Lord brought about this matter of dealing with offenses.  Jesus wants us to learn to bring all offenses of the body before Him and before the body if it cannot be resolved individually.  A loving relationship needs to be present at all times in the body for the body to grow and prosper as God desires.   And most emphatically Jesus makes it known also that all prayer that goes upwards to the Father can only happen one way whether it is corporately or individually and that is in HIS name!

Matthew 18:21 Even though this is a different topic it is still related to the previous topic discussed.  Peter asks Jesus how often he should forgive his brother for sinning.  According to the religious leaders of this time you would forgive one up to three times so I believe Peter is thinking he will impress the Lord by saying up to seven times.  How often do we do similar things, thinking we will impress the Lord or others by our actions?  The law or standards says do this ‘x’ times so I'm going to do it a couple times more to show how good I am, that only impresses the artificial people and self  God is not impressed by your show off attitude.  God is looking for truth!

Matthew 18:22 So Jesus answers Peter by saying “up to seventy times seven.  In other words Jesus is telling us that we must have a heart of forgiveness.  It doesn't mean we accept what takes place and condone it, but when the person asks for forgiveness we forgive.  Think of how many times you have been forgiven and where you would be right now if God only allowed forgiveness up to seven times!  How can you refuse to forgive another when you have been forgiven time and again?

Matthew 18:23-26 Jesus now begins to share why it is important to forgive.  “A king” represents Jesus and “a man” represents believers like Peter, you, and me, who wish to put limits on others forgiveness etc.  We find that there is a debt to pay and the debt is much more than the man is able to pay but the king usurps his legal right to garner payment.  We find that the servant doesn't even ask for forgiveness but instead asks for more time thinking that he will eventually be able to pay back the debt he owes through his own intrinsic worth.  The debt was so great the servant could not repay it.

Matthew 18:27 And even though the servant didn't truly ask for forgiveness it says the Master took pity on him.  The Master took mercy on him just as our Master, God, has mercy on us.  The master canceled the debt and let him go.  God is not in the business of punishing and imprisoning, He is in the business of reinstating and rescuing lives.  We find that the man asks to have more time to repay and what does Jesus do  He steps way beyond what is asked of Him and totally erases the man's debt forgiving him completely.

Matthew 18:28-30 Now, what happens next is an exact image of what happens so often in our society today.  The servant being forgiven of his great debt goes out and immediately tries to reclaim money owed to him.  He goes to a servant that is under him and says to him “pay back what you owe me.”  He begins choking the servant and the servant falls down begging for patience from his master.  So quickly this man has forgotten what his master just did for him.  How often do we quickly forget?  “I will pay you back,” says the man to the one just forgiven, the same words he just used with the king.  But this man refuses.  He has an unforgiving spirit.  He was just forgiven and had his debt erased and has totally forgotten it.  He has the man thrown into jail.

Matthew 18:31 Now we see that the fellow slaves seeing this became distressed.  This grieved them because they had witnessed him being forgiven by the king so they went to the king and reported what they had seen.  It is one thing for a non-believer to not forgive but for a Christian to not forgive it is an even greater sin.

Matthew 18:32-35 The king calls the servant before him and says, after I had mercy on you and forgave your debt should you also have had mercy on your servant and forgave him his debt?  We are all familiar with the law of reaping what you sow and this is a fine example of it.  If we sow un-forgiveness we will reap un-forgiveness.  If we sow forgiveness we will reap forgiveness.  The lesson to be gleaned from this is that in our refusing to forgive another results in God refusing to forgive us!  This passage of scripture could not be any clearer  forgive others unconditionally or the Father will not forgive you.

Father, thank You for Your Word, and thank You for making it so very clear that there is truly only one lesson in the entirety of Your Word and that is unconditional love!  To love we must forgive, to forgive, me must love, and You make it very clear that if we do not forgive we will not be forgiven, so help us dear Lord to love unconditionally in Jesus name amen.

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

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