Even Just One

Matthew 18:11-20


12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So, it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. 15 "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. 16 But if he does to listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by may Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."




Thinking and understanding


It is not God's will for even one person to perish. Therefore, even if just one person sins, the church must strive to help them realize their sin and turn back from it(12-14). One to one counsel and conversation must come before any public punishment. Then, two witnesses should go together to urge them. If they still do not accept this, then the whole church must try to encourage them. If the whole church stands together, it means that their counsel is based on God's word and each member's confession of faith, and is therefore righteous. If the person who has sinned rejects even this, then he/she rejects God(15-17).



Who is Jesus?


Jesus is interested in every individual and does not wish to lose a single one. He rejoices over the one sheep he has found more than over the ninety nine that never went astray. When we are reluctant to forgive someone, and wish to vilify and ignore them, we should remember that God loves them.


What lesson is God teaching us?


What matters is not how many people have gathered but the heart of those who have gathered. No matter how small the community, Jesus is present wherever people have gathered in his name and with his heart. What kind of heart do our communities share?

(Daily Bible, 03/04, 2019)