Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Often we preach the parable of the Lost Sheep as a text for evangelism and missions. However, that was not the purpose of Christ’s message. If we go back to the original context of the lesson in Matthew 18, we notice these words in verse 10, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Jesus was discussing our treatment of brothers and sisters in Christ before He illustrated the same lesson with the parable of the Lost Sheep.
Later in verse 15, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” At the end of the parable for the rescue of the Lost Sheep, Christ continued lecturing about our care of fellow Christians.
Thus, between verse 10 and verse 15, we read, “How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14
Consider this… Our disregard for a brother that we willingly sacrifice for the sake of a grudge is reflective of our general attitude toward Christ’s entire Church! If we are unwilling to be reconciled to an estranged brother (the lost sheep), then the rest of Christ’s spiritual family (the 99 in the fold) are no safer from our wolfish wrath than the one we drove into the wilderness.
St. Paul ordered, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, ESPECIALLY unto them who are of the HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH.” Galatians 6:10 If we do not value individuals within the fellowship of Christ, then what good are we to those who have never believed?
Consider Christ’s Great Commission, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Our Christian witness begins at the center and expands outward in concentric rings. Jesus’ disciples did not witness to the uttermost parts of the earth without FIRST beginning at home in Jerusalem. When they had mastered their Christian responsibility / testimony at home, then they branched out to the surrounding areas of Judaea, Samaria, and beyond.
As we join with a brother in mutual forgiveness, God also forgives in Heaven (Matthew 18:18-20), before abundantly blessing our spiritual unity and harmony on earth, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalms 133:1-3
In conclusion, listen to St. Paul’s admonition, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 Christ ventured into the spiritual wilderness of this world to rescue us. We should be willing to do the same for an estranged brother.
Edwin Woolsey’s family has lived in Shannon, Texas, and Howell counties since 1860. He taught 31 years at Missouri public schools and is currently the pastor of a small country congregation at Pilgrim Rest Community Church. Follow him on Twitter at @edwinwoolsey.
