Day 25: Matthew 18:1-20
Who Is the Greatest? Temptations to Sin. The Parable of the Lost Sheep. If Your Brother Sins Against You.
I'm pretty sure that my eyes and limbs are sinning consistently on a daily basis. So, one verse that I've struggled to understand is Jesus's instructions to remove the parts of one's body that causes the person to sin.
Could Jesus have actually meant for people to literally dismember themselves as a means of preventing sin? This interpretation seems a bit absurd to me, because if carried out, wouldn't every living person on this planet end up being blind amputees? It's hard to imagine that God would want his human creations to all be invalids.
Today, as I struggled with overeating, I thought perhaps that the interpretation should be, "Remove from yourself that which causes you to sin." For example, if I suspect that a half-opened box of chocolates on my kitchen counter is going to result in a chocolate binge during the week, I should find a way to get rid of those chocolates before I give in to temptation.
When Jesus talks about resolving conflict with one's brother, the use of the word "brother" seems fairly significant. Earlier, I observed what I felt was a distinction between "brother" and "other", in that a brother is someone who shared a common commitment to live life for God, and an other is someone without that commonality.
So, does Jesus's coaching on how to resolve interpersonal conflicts only apply to relationships where both parties are Christians? I think the answer is yes. But then, how is a Christian then supposed to resolve a conflict with a non-Christian? The answer to this question seems to be passive protest.
The difference in approaches is striking, and the difference seems to mirror something I'm pondering in my new role as a father. While a parent may only softly rebuke a small child (analogous to a non-Christian) who does bad things, the same parent may intervene and judge very differently an adult child (analogous Christian) who ought to know better.
To gouge my eyes and amputate my limbs
I'm pretty sure that my eyes and limbs are sinning consistently on a daily basis. So, one verse that I've struggled to understand is Jesus's instructions to remove the parts of one's body that causes the person to sin.
And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. (Matthew 18:8-9 ESV)
Could Jesus have actually meant for people to literally dismember themselves as a means of preventing sin? This interpretation seems a bit absurd to me, because if carried out, wouldn't every living person on this planet end up being blind amputees? It's hard to imagine that God would want his human creations to all be invalids.
Today, as I struggled with overeating, I thought perhaps that the interpretation should be, "Remove from yourself that which causes you to sin." For example, if I suspect that a half-opened box of chocolates on my kitchen counter is going to result in a chocolate binge during the week, I should find a way to get rid of those chocolates before I give in to temptation.
Resolving conflicts with who?
When Jesus talks about resolving conflict with one's brother, the use of the word "brother" seems fairly significant. Earlier, I observed what I felt was a distinction between "brother" and "other", in that a brother is someone who shared a common commitment to live life for God, and an other is someone without that commonality.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. (Matthew 18:15 ESV)
So, does Jesus's coaching on how to resolve interpersonal conflicts only apply to relationships where both parties are Christians? I think the answer is yes. But then, how is a Christian then supposed to resolve a conflict with a non-Christian? The answer to this question seems to be passive protest.
But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:39-41 ESV)
The difference in approaches is striking, and the difference seems to mirror something I'm pondering in my new role as a father. While a parent may only softly rebuke a small child (analogous to a non-Christian) who does bad things, the same parent may intervene and judge very differently an adult child (analogous Christian) who ought to know better.