Matthew 18:15-17

“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” vs. 15

Matthew is likely thinking of his own community of believers as he recalls these words of Jesus about reconciliation. Because life is communal it’s been natural for humans to find their identity as families, clans, tribes, and nations. So when the Spirit called the Church into being the believers naturally gathered themselves into communities of faith. 

But living as a community is not easy! Because of human brokenness people find it enormously difficult to get along. Under the best circumstances there will be tensions, and individuals will be hurt and offended. And it’s never an easy matter to resolve those tensions. 

That’s why the Church, from its earliest days, remembered the direction of Jesus to his disciples. And the basic rule was this: No triangulating, no gossip, no scapegoating! If anyone in the community injures you, it should be between you and that person. No one else should be involved. And more often than not, this will be enough to bring reconciliation and restoration. 

This has continued to be the blueprint for unity in the Church through all these centuries. And it still works! Does it always turn out the way Jesus said it would? Of course not! Sometimes more work needs to be done. But nobody has ever come up with a better first step!

Thought for the Day: How has the one-on-one rule worked for me?