Matthew 18:18-20
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Recall Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:15-17 and then read today’s text, Matthew 18:18-20.
The words “forbid” and “permit’ in this passage point to the practice of “binding and loosing” in ancient Judaism. A person in authority could “bind” someone by setting limits or restrictions on them when their behavior was out of line with Jewish religious law. And a religious authority could also “loose” or remove restrictions and free a person from imposed limits once that person had demonstrated a willingness to change. Knowing that his community of followers would need ways to deal with overtly sinful behavior, Jesus confers this authority on not only Peter, but all the disciples.
If we read these words of Jesus in context with his previous instructions, we can see that Jesus is stressing the importance of interconnectedness. Our own judgments about the sinfulness of another person may be skewed by our past experiences or unexamined prejudices, so when we are at an impasse with a sibling in the family of Jesus, a couple of other viewpoints can help bring clarity. And if all are agreed that a person has indeed wronged us, we need the combined discernment of the community of Jesus to know how best to deal with the situation in a way that can lead to repentance and restoration.
The point is that we were created for community, and apart from the community of Jesus we will never discern all that God wants us to understand.
The concept of interconnectedness can be hard to grasp for those who are part of a culture that celebrates fierce independence. Stop to contemplate your own beliefs about your inherent need for others and turn these thoughts into an honest conversation with Jesus.
Read Matthew 18:18-20 again.
Jesus goes on to emphasize the power of community and interconnectedness. When we listen to God together and pray in agreement with each other, we are much more likely to be in line with God’s will and ways. Each of us in the community of Jesus has a piece of the larger picture to bring to the whole community, and when we humbly accept this about ourselves and others, we have the opportunity to present a more complete and compelling picture of Jesus to a watching world.
Meditate on these words of Jesus for a moment more: “…where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
What do you sense Jesus saying to you today?
How will you respond?
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