Day 51, Matthew 18
After the Transfiguration, Jesus is firmly focused on His destination: Jerusalem and His destiny: crucifixion. His instruction and impartation becomes even more challenging and radical as the culmination of His earthly ministry approaches.
We might title this chapter “the radical Kingdom” because here we see Jesus’ priorities in clear (and revolutionary) terms.
First, if you want to be great in this kingdom, you’d better become comfortable with being a little child or a wounded lamb. The Aramaic word Jesus uses is talitha, which is what He called Jairus’ daughter, as He raised her from the dead in Mark 5. If you can be a dead kid, you can be a great leader in Jesus’ kingdom. And if anything in you causes you to obstruct those who embrace the kingdom in that way, you’d better get rid of it. The language Jesus uses in verses 8 and 9 is hyperbole, but the message is clear: you are better off broken, but in touch with Jesus and His priorities, than thrown on the garbage dump because you want to be powerful or important.
Next, to underline the seriousness of what He has just said, Jesus adds that any shepherd would leave 99 sheep who are safe, in order to find one who is lost and in danger. God is our shepherd, and He actively pursues those who have wandered off. What reassuring news that is to all of us who have friends or family who have lost their way with God for some reason.
This has all been radically different from the model of religion, but it goes even further; if you have a friend who falls short in the relationship with you, it’s your responsibility to reach out and try to mend relationships. Do you notice how this reflects the shepherd who would pursue one lost sheep? Whatever level of exclusion is determined by your friend’s response to your overtures, you can be assured that God will still pursue him or her like a lost sheep.
And finally, Peter asks the question we have all asked ourselves (or God) in moments of frustration with friends who fall short: how often must I forgive?! The answer is not what Peter (or I) would want to hear. Depending on how you translate it, Jesus either says “77” or “7x7=490” or “7 to the 7th power = 823,543”!
Anyway - the short answer is “don’t stop forgiving”.
And the reason is because forgiveness is for us, not just for God. God (the King) has forgiven me a massive debt to restore relationship with me. If I hold on to any smaller debt, it will torment me and steal my freedom, because I’m not living in the good of what God has given me.
So this Kingdom is far more radical than anything on earth! Religion has misrepresented God’s heart, desires, and power to set free. How will God change your perspective today toward this radical Kingdom?
Have a great day!
Mark.