The Bible is a constant source of insight and guidance for the Christian community. It addresses various themes that Christians grapple with in their daily struggles. Matthew 18 is among the most important passages. Here, Christians are urged to demonstrate humility while preserving the purity of the Christian community. Moreover, this passage challenges Christians to avoid causing others to fall into sin. Overall, as one reads Matthew 18, they are reminded that righteousness and humility are two of the most important traits for Christian believers.
Literary Context
In Matthew 18:5-9, Jesus challenges believers to support one another in the quest for righteousness. He particularly warns against causing others to sin. In these verses, Jesus also called on believers to rid themselves of forces that could lead them to sin (“Appendix C”, n.d). Essentially, through these verses, Jesus reminds his followers that the life of righteousness demands humility and sacrifice. The themes that Matthew 18:5-9 explores echo the message in Matthew 18:15-18. From verse 15 to 18 of Matthew, Jesus urged believers to take all necessary measures to secure the redemption of fellow believers. They should approach them privately, involve other believers, and the entire church to ensure that other believers do not stay in sin (“Appendix C”, n.d). This message is consistent with the theme that Jesus communicated in verses 5-9. In the two sections, believers are reminded to invest in the spiritual wellbeing of others.
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Matthew 18: 10-14 outlines the parable of the lost sheep. Here, Jesus taught his disciples that God would leave 99 sheep to find one sheep that had wandered away. Basically, through this passage, Jesus sought to enable his disciples to understand the lengths that God would go to rescue those who had fallen into sin (“Appendix C”, n.d). The theme of God’s love for his children that verses 10-14 explore is consistent with the message found in verses 15-18. As already noted above, in these verses, light is shed on the need for Christians to protect the spiritual progress of fellow believers. When read together with verses 10-14, verses 15-18 enable Christians to recognize that they should emulate God in safeguarding the Christian faith.
The need to forgive others as God has forgiven them is the main theme in Matthew 18:21-35. Jesus narrated the parable of a servant who failed to reciprocate the mercy that his master had shown him. This servant’s ingratitude and cruelty earned him the wrath of his master. The behavior of this servant underscores the need for believers to show others the same love, forgiveness and patience that God continues to demonstrate. This is a similar message to that found in verses 15-18. It has already been noted that these verses call on believers to lead others back to the path of righteousness. The similarity lies in the need for making sacrifices for others to safeguard their faith and wellbeing.
Binding and Loosing
In verse 18 of Matthew 18, Jesus told his disciples that whatever they bound on earth would also be bound in heaven. He added that all they loosen would also be loosened in heaven. The larger context of this verse sheds light on its meaning. Jesus was talking about the power of believers to intervene in the spiritual struggles of fellow believers (“Appendix C”, n.d). Therefore, binding and loosing refers to the power that Christians have to facilitate the recovery of those who are struggling. As they help fellow believers, Christians can count on the strength that God provides.
Verses 15-17 shed further light on the meaning of binding and loosing. In these verses, Jesus tells the disciples that they should speak with believers who have gone astray. He encourages them to involve other believers and the church to ensure that the fallen colleagues return to the faith. In these verses, Jesus basically gave believers the authority to restore the faith of others. The message that he communicates in these verses provide deeper meaning to binding and loosing. Essentially, Christians can expect the full support of God when they help others recover.
Matthew 16:19 also helps one to understand the meaning of binding and loosing. In this verse, the disciples were assured that all requests that they submit to God will be granted. The assurance that Jesus gave the disciples here echoes the power to bind and loosen. As they become involved in the spiritual struggles of others, believers can seek God’s intervention and he will indeed respond (“Appendix C”, n.d). Therefore, Christians should not hesitate to help struggling colleagues.
Prayer of Discipline?
Prayer and church discipline are the main themes developed in verses 19-20 of Matthew 18. In these verses, Jesus told the believers that whatever they agree on and submit to God in pray, it shall be granted. It is evident that he was encouraging the disciples to pray to God. He guaranteed that God would respond to their prayers (“Appendix C”, n.d). Jesus also called on the believers to embrace community and brotherhood. He stated that “if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven”. Here, Jesus was clearly encouraging communal prayer and fellowship.
The importance of prayer is not the only theme that verses 19 and 20 explore. These verses also underscore the critical role that church discipline plays in strengthening the Christian community. Jesus said that “for where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with them.” These words highlight the importance of Christians to congregate. Whenever believers come together to celebrate this victory on the cross, Jesus joins them. Fellowship is the essence of church discipline. Believers need to heed Jesus’ call by coming together in prayer and worship.
Conclusion
In the time that he was with his disciplines, Jesus dispensed advice and guidelines on a wide range of issues. He urged his disciples to be responsible for one another. Furthermore, he encouraged the disciples and all believers to demonstrate humility. Instead of seeking glory and material pleasures, they should pursue the Kingdom of Heaven. It is also important for believers to hold the hands of those who are struggling with sin. As they do this, they can count on God’s unwavering support and love. The insights that Jesus shared with his disciples are still relevant for modern Christians.
References
Appendix C. Commentaries on Matthew.
