This is a summary of a sermon by a friend of mine, Revd Prof Stephen Dray, based on Matthew 18:15-20. Be sure to spend time reflecting on the five questions Stephen sets. 

As Jesus’ earthly ministry draws to an end, it is prefaced by his transfiguration before three of his disciples (17:1-13). There they get a glimpse of his glory- a glory radiating from beyond the present world. But they are also party to a conversation between their transfigured Lord and Moses and Elijah. In this conversation, Luke tells us, they talked about his coming ‘exodus’ or departure in Jerusalem.

And that ‘departure’ appears to have an increasing effect on Jesus’ teaching. In the present section of the Gospel, Matthew describes how Jesus now turns his attention from the crowd to the disciples. Three times he speaks to them of his coming death ((16:21-28; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). But he also looks beyond his death and resurrection to the community that will be established in his name and we notice how he begins to train his followers as to the principles that are to shape their life and those who gather around them together.

Which is where our passage today comes in! Here Jesus offers us one example of how this community might (or should) function. He assumes the community will be one where the various members know one another well enough to recognise when someone else is going astray. He also assumes that the members are genuinely interested in the spiritual well-being of one another- sufficiently enough to take steps to recall the erring person to life within the community; the life characterised by ‘walking in the Spirit’.

But, before we apply this, we need to ask the question as to what sin is in view. Now it seems to me that this is not a ‘biggy’ because then everyone would know about it! I think, therefore, that it is some action or attitude that might appear rather inconsequential- something that might be overlooked with a shrug of the shoulder. We might say, ‘Well, that is what John and Mary are like, bless them!’

However, the sequel show that, whatever it is, the effects of this unspecified failing are not inconsequential. The person who is approached sensitively and privately is having none of it. And even when attempts are made to involve others in quietly addressing the matter, the person refuses point blank to listen. This reveals their fundamental problem (one that has, perhaps, been hinted at and led to the initial approach); it is self-love and pride. And this shows, as Jesus’ teaching here demonstrates,  that they are strangers to God’s grace since their conduct and attitude is that of the world and, we might add, the ‘pit’. Inevitably, so Jesus implies, the community must show that such attitudes place a person outside of the kingdom of heaven. And, he adds, such actions meet with divine approval; for this is surely the point of verses 18-20. One likes, of course, to hope that this wakes up the erring person to the depth of their spiritual need and their restoration.

All of which is consistent with the teaching in the rest of this chapter. The ‘kingdom of heaven’ (as Jesus describes the community) is for the humble and welcoming (1-5), it is comprised of those who are zealous to ensure none lead others astray (6-9), it is characterised by those who go out of their way to bring the erring home (10-14) and it is a community ever ready to forgive the erring (21-35).

Of course, Jesus gives us this example to hold up, like a mirror, before ourselves and our church. So we need to ask ourselves a number of questions.

Firstly, is the fellowship of our church (or groups within the church) such that we know one another well enough to recognise the early signs of a failure to live by the Spirit in others?

Secondly, do we have a longing to see all those around us conformed to the image of Christ? And if we do, are we ready to seek out the erring ones among us and bring them home?

Thirdly, do we acknowledge that this responsibility of compassionate care is for all of us- not just the leaders? It is, of course, true that inexperience in dealing with others might make us act like a bull in a china shop when approaching the erring. We might (perhaps we should) seek advice! But the responsibility to address those who err rests with us all.

Fourthly, are we alert to the fact that erring in little things, the small evidences of a lack of humility and the root of self-love and pride, can destroy an individual and their community if not addressed early. I have been a Christian and a church leader for too long not to recognise both in the history of the church and my own experience that when pride and self-love is not dealt with when it first reveals its tender shoots can have lasting, even eternal, consequences.

Fifthly, and most painfully, are we open to the need for self-examination and the gentle, probing rebuke of others? Are we ready for the work of the heavenly doctor, the Holy Spirit, to probe and cut and remove the root of self-love and pride? Do we give time to hear the gentle voice of Jesus as he cajoles us to stretch out our hand and grasp his?

As I close, I want us to see (and I believe that Jesus wants us to see) that as we move forward into a new era in the life of our church, that Jesus’ understanding of what it means to be ‘church’ is very different from that which we ourselves often live with!  Jesus is not really interested in buildings and structures unless they produce a people who are inhabited by his Spirit and who reveal his transforming life in what we do and, above all, who we are.

And, if we are such a people, we will be compassionate and watchful of the lives of others in our community because we will want them to become more and more like Jesus. We will strain every nerve to ensure that none are lost through our neglect of them.

And, finally, this passage profoundly and painfully challenges each one of us. If we are to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, following in his footsteps, we will need to prepare ourselves and be prepared by others for the divine surgery which, alone, can lead us to know him and reflect his glory to a watching world.