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Matthew 18:16
As we continue to break down Matthew 18:15-17 into its three lessons, today we will look at the second lesson as found in Matthew 18:16 as Jesus continues to teach us about the forgiveness that should be open in our relationships with one another, and how to deal with issues that we may be more reluctant to forgive.
In Matthew 18:15 Jesus teaches us that if we have an issue with someone, we should go to that person and address that issue as a means to resolve the issue. In Matthew 18:16 Jesus teaches, “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ [Deuteronomy 19:15].
This is a command to strive to resolve issues between ourselves and others.
This lesson has a twofold reflection; first, if the person in which you are striving to resolve an issue refuses you, being that you are in the right, you should be able to go and get two or three people who will support your view on the subject, as Jesus teaches us in Matthew 18:16. Then you will have a support team that will go in the spirit of Christ to help resolve the issue.
Second, if you cannot find two or three people to help support your view on the issue, you may need to reconsider your view in light of humbling yourself and asking forgiveness to resolve the issue. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV), “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Either way, you are to be acting in the spirit of Christ; sometimes that is to reveal our own stubbornness on an issue that is the root of the issue needing to be resolved. Sometimes, learning to be humble can hurt a little, but obedience is the goal – not pride.
Dear LORD,
As we strive to reflect Christ Jesus in our lives to all those we come in contact with, please help us to also realize and understand that it is not always someone else who is in the wrong as we strive to resolve issues between us and others. Please give us a spirit of blessing that will help us to see when it is ourselves that is in need of asking forgiveness of others so that we would reflect the humility and obedience to You that shows others that we are Your children – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.