Matthew 18:15–20: Gaining Back Your Brother
Introduction
In the previous section, Jesus had talked about the great love of God the Father for his wandering, errant people (Matt. 18:10–14). There, Jesus compared the Father’s love to a shepherd who would leave behind his ninety-nine sheep in order to pursue one sheep who had gone astray (Matt. 18:12). Then, when he found that sheep, “he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matt. 18:13–14). As the outflow of his Father’s love for wandering sheep, Jesus himself came into this world to pursue sinners to the point of his own death on a cross as an atoning substitute for their sin. Now, Our Lord takes the idea from the previous section one step further by teaching that Jesus administers his kingdom through the ministry of his church.
Discussion Questions
1. How does the context of the parable of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to reclaim the one lost sheep shape our interpretation of this passage (Matt. 18:10–14)? When should you confront a brother in sin (v. 15)? How should you confront a brother in sin? What should your goal be when you go to confront a brother in sin? What are a few practical ways for you to avoid being tempted in this process (Gal. 6:1)?
2. What should you do if your brother fails to listen to you (v. 16)? What is the purpose of bringing along one or two others as witnesses? What is your goal if you are asked to accompany someone else as a witness? How does the requirement of bringing along witnesses provide a check against scurrilous charges of sin? Why do you think that Jesus teaches us such a social process for engaging sin in our midst?
3. Who is “the church” in v. 17? What biblical evidence do we have that the whole church is represented in church discipline by the elders? Why is excommunication sometimes necessary? What significance does the “binding” and “loosing” in v. 18 have? Who are the “two or three” of vv. 19, 20? What is included in the “anything” upon which they might agree? Why does Jesus assure us at this point that he will be among those “two or three”?
4. How does this passage about church discipline teach us to love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ more fully? Is there a relationship where you feel the need to confront a brother about how he or she has sinned against you? What tempts you to delay that conversation? Or, what tempts you to handle that conversation wrongly, whether by gossiping with others or by speaking the truth without love? How has Jesus taught you to love your brothers better?
