“…whatever you bind on earth…” (18:18)

We’re continuing our week-long discussion on relationships from Matthew 18.

In verse 18, Jesus begins to centre in on the real heart of this discussion. Jesus is about to connect the earthly church principles with the heavenly Father’s oversight.

A few weeks ago, we read that Jesus offered these very same words when speaking to Peter about the keys to the kingdom; “…whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Mt. 16:19b)

This time referencing relationships.

There is a lot of ministry and scholarly debate on why Jesus uses these words and what they really mean. I’d encourage you to Google it when you have the time.

Nevertheless, what theologians see to agree on is that when Jesus uses these words, He is highlighting something of great importance. For this passage, the restoring of relationships has a major impact on the church and therefore, a major impact on the kingdom.

Effective use or misuse of these principles not only has an emotional impact here on earth, but there is also a very real spiritual impact on the church as a whole.

“Again, truly I tell you…” (18:19)

This statement of binding and loosing is so important, that we see Jesus tag on a clarifying comment in verse 19. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (18:19)

It’s not a mistake that Jesus offers these words after talking about how to deal with sin. When we choose to reconcile and restore relationships here on earth, God is well pleased. Forgiveness and restoration brings joy to our Father. Unity and cooperation bring joy to our Father.

In these moments, where we choose to approach each other in humility and repentance, we obtain incredible power. And this power is accessed through unified prayer.

“…where two or three gather…” (18:20)

Jesus continues to connect the dots for us in verse 19. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Not only do we access to our heavenly Father’s power, but Jesus says that when we gather in unity, He gathers with us!

A church that is focused on maintaining and deepening relationships can lift up such unified prayer, that we welcome Jesus into our midst.

So why should we go to someone when they’ve sinned against us? Why should we bring a testimony of two or three witnesses? Why should we bring the sin before the church? Why is the hard work and heartache is worth it? This is why, because our earthly relationships matter to Jesus.

Earthly Relationships Matter (18:21-22)

In many of your Bibles, there is a title break between verse 20 and verse 21. However, let’s remember that Matthew’s original Gospel did not have this break.

Therefore, we can assume that Peter’s question came out of this previous teaching on relationships. Peter was obviously really mulling this over in his mind.

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Mt. 18:21-22)

It’s like Peter’s asking,

“Is there an end to this reconciling and restoring of relationships? Is there a point when we can call it quits and abandon the relationship entirely? When can I truly be done with someone and never have to interact with them again?”

And Jesus answer to Peter and to us is witty and yet simple. Our role is to keep forgiving, keep reconciling, keep restoring, keep seeking unity and keep moving forward.

I’d like to come full circle.

We started this week with the idea that our perspectives need to change concerning Matthew 18. We started with the idea that we should move past titles like conflict and discipline, and get to the root of this chapter, which is really about relationships.

I truly believe that our earthly relationships matter on a higher level than our regular church interactions. The evidence is clear to me. Relationships take precedence over the financial and political matters of church life.

Now hear me.

I’m not saying that we should ignore the foundational components of church life and structure. We can’t ignore the financial and leadership obligations that we’ve been entrusted with.

I’m just saying that when life gets difficult and people are hurting; policy and procedure will only get us so far. The people however, the people will pull us through.

And so I’ll say it again:

Our earthly relationships matter.

They matter to us as individuals, they matter to us as a church and they matter to Jesus. Moving forward, may we make a commitment to work harder on our relationships?

May we work harder on our relationships than any other earthly component found in the modern church.

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

How have you witnessed God’s concern for our earthly relationships? Where has unity of the Body made a difference beyond simple cooperation?