Today’s reading is Matthew 18.
Okay, okay, we are supposed to become the least, the last, and the lowly. Further, we are supposed to value the least, the last, and the lowly. But what about when the least, the last, and the lowly become the lost? What about when they become exactly the kind of person we always knew they would. We knew they wouldn’t last. We knew they would abandon the fold. We knew they would decide to go into sin. We tried to warn you about that one, that’s just the kind of person that one is.
You know what Jesus does in that case? Jesus humbly leaves the ninety-nine that are sticking with the flock in the mountains and goes out looking for the lost one. Jesus values that least, last, lowly, and lost one greatly. So should we.
In fact, that is what the entire paragraph from Matthew 18:15-20 is all about. Sadly, we too often view that paragraph as the steps we take to withdraw from someone. No doubt, if someone refuses all our efforts to draw them back into the fold and flock of God, we will have to take extreme measures of discipline. But this paragraph is actually about all the effort we take to bring them back. Regrettably, we’ve gotten ourselves in a day and age where whole churches are so afraid of upsetting someone or hurting their feelings, we just let them wander off on the mountain side where they are completely vulnerable to attack from wolves and from the great dragon. This paragraph is actually about how much we care and desire to bring them back. We go after them. If they won’t respond to us, we take a couple others with us. If they won’t respond to a handful of us, we mobilize the whole flock. If they won’t respond to the whole flock, we must discipline, but even then we don’t give up. We mourn. We pray. We do not treat them as enemies, but as fallen siblings.
The arrogant and prideful kick these least, last, lowly, and lost to the curb with a “Good riddance. We are better off without them.” The humble seek them out and strive to win them back.
Are there any you need to seek out today?
Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 18.
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Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family
- What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
- Why is it so easy to quickly give up on those who stumble, falter, and fall away?
- How do you want people to treat you if you stumble, falter, and fall away?
- What advice would you give to help us reach out to the fallen and encourage them to come back?
- What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?
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