Dearest e-votees-
The translation of the source material for our gospel text renders the word "brother" as "member" in the NRSV (undoubtedly to be more gender inclusive). This didn't sit well with our text study group.
Jesus is speaking of sin intruding in a close relationship and offering a framework to engage that sin. We would do well to listen to it. We are in need of the loosing and binding that this practice offers.
Peace,
Karl
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[Jesus speaking] 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.”
Matthew 18:15-20, NRSV
When, not if, sin happens there is need for attention and reconciliation. At times we are the one perpetrating the sin. At times we the one on the receiving end of the sin. Most times we are both (simul peccator et peccatoree?). When there has been a breach what are we to do? Jesus has some keen insight for us.
We should engage honestly and with discreetly with the other party. Our hope is to hear and to listen. If that can be accomplished the breach can be patched and the relationship regained. Thanks be to God.
If that fails then it is time to bring in another party. A group of two to three who serve as a neutral third party, preferably, to listen and reflect from both sides. Two to three, I don't think coincidentally, were what was required in a legal proceeding to establish an accusation. If hearing and reconciliation can happen then the breach is patched and the relationship is regained. Thanks be to God.
The next step is to take the concern to the entire community. All are able to hear and participate with the hope of dealing with the sin in question and bringing about reconciliation. If that can be worked thanks be to God.
The seeming last step is to cast out the unrepentant one(s) as a Gentile or tax collector--an unholy outsider or a treacherous sellout. These folks were about as low as people got on the social scale. They were the unclean, the unwelcome and those outside God's promises.
But then we need to recall how Jesus spent his energies and his social engagements. Jesus seemed to befriend Gentiles and tax collectors. Jesus found a place among the unclean and the unwelcome and those outside of God's promises. Jesus immersed himself in the broken places of this world that healing might come to pass. Jesus placed himself among lepers and unclean and uncircumcised in order that they too might know restoration with God. Jesus pushed through every boundary that seemed to separate fallen, sinful humanity in order that all might be lifted up and restored and made new.
Jesus taught that, as much as it was up to us, we ought to be seeking reconciliation with those in the world and those in but not of the world. That is the point of this gospel teaching. We are to be about loosing and binding so that people might be set free and restored. Jesus lived this to his dying breath. When we gather in twos and threes and Bible studies and social gatherings and congregations and however else how could we strive to do any less?!?
God, send us to bind and loose all that we can from the grip of our broken relationships. We do this in the name of and for the glory of Jesus. Amen.
The translation of the source material for our gospel text renders the word "brother" as "member" in the NRSV (undoubtedly to be more gender inclusive). This didn't sit well with our text study group.
Jesus is speaking of sin intruding in a close relationship and offering a framework to engage that sin. We would do well to listen to it. We are in need of the loosing and binding that this practice offers.
Peace,
Karl
------------
[Jesus speaking] 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.”
When, not if, sin happens there is need for attention and reconciliation. At times we are the one perpetrating the sin. At times we the one on the receiving end of the sin. Most times we are both (simul peccator et peccatoree?). When there has been a breach what are we to do? Jesus has some keen insight for us.
We should engage honestly and with discreetly with the other party. Our hope is to hear and to listen. If that can be accomplished the breach can be patched and the relationship regained. Thanks be to God.
If that fails then it is time to bring in another party. A group of two to three who serve as a neutral third party, preferably, to listen and reflect from both sides. Two to three, I don't think coincidentally, were what was required in a legal proceeding to establish an accusation. If hearing and reconciliation can happen then the breach is patched and the relationship is regained. Thanks be to God.
The next step is to take the concern to the entire community. All are able to hear and participate with the hope of dealing with the sin in question and bringing about reconciliation. If that can be worked thanks be to God.
The seeming last step is to cast out the unrepentant one(s) as a Gentile or tax collector--an unholy outsider or a treacherous sellout. These folks were about as low as people got on the social scale. They were the unclean, the unwelcome and those outside God's promises.
But then we need to recall how Jesus spent his energies and his social engagements. Jesus seemed to befriend Gentiles and tax collectors. Jesus found a place among the unclean and the unwelcome and those outside of God's promises. Jesus immersed himself in the broken places of this world that healing might come to pass. Jesus placed himself among lepers and unclean and uncircumcised in order that they too might know restoration with God. Jesus pushed through every boundary that seemed to separate fallen, sinful humanity in order that all might be lifted up and restored and made new.
Jesus taught that, as much as it was up to us, we ought to be seeking reconciliation with those in the world and those in but not of the world. That is the point of this gospel teaching. We are to be about loosing and binding so that people might be set free and restored. Jesus lived this to his dying breath. When we gather in twos and threes and Bible studies and social gatherings and congregations and however else how could we strive to do any less?!?
God, send us to bind and loose all that we can from the grip of our broken relationships. We do this in the name of and for the glory of Jesus. Amen.
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