09.06.2026- Pentecost 15 - Pastor Chris
Many churches use this passage as the framework for how they handle conflict, up-to excommunication. Although I see how a church might interpret this passage that way, its not what I think Jesus intended.
Context is huge for this passage. The passage before is the story of the lost sheep and the story after is where Jesus tells Peter he shouldn't forigive someone just 7 times but 77, or 70 times 7, times. With the stories before and after, I think Jesus is encouraging us to work really hard to keep the community together.
Sometimes we are asked to do something but really we know its just something we must do. Maybe the individual directing us shares a list that is so exhaustive we simply respond, “OK, I get it. I’ll do it.” I think that’s what Jesus is doing here. The final step can almost sound comical. “Assemble the entire community and go visit the person.” Can you imagine how difficult that would be to coordinate?
It can also be helpful to read the passage from the person who is being confronted. How do you think Jesus wants them to engage? I doubt Jesus wants the interaction to be tense and confrontational. I dont see Jesus looking for a visit where there is extensive yelling. Yet, I worry that is how we imagine intersections like this will go. The person who goes to reconcile does so out of care and concern. They are engaging the person because they want to heal the divide. If we take that perspective it completely changes the way the conversation goes.
If we are in the shoes of the one who is visited, do we believe that the individual, small group, or entire community is there because they care about us and they want to restore the relationship? I worry we have a lower view of ourselves than we should. People do care for us, they want whats best for us, even if things aren’t going perfectly well.
Overall this is a reminder to work really hard at the things that matter. Those who follow Jesus will be known for reconciling, grace, and forgiveness. We have a lot of work to do, and we need to be open to others putting in work to restore us. All of this rooted in deep concern and love. May we continue to work really hard for the things that matter.
