Day 291, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Matthew 17:24-27; Mark 9:38-10:1; Luke 9:49-10:20; Matthew 18:6-19:2; Matthew 8:18-22; Matthew 11:20-24
How to Handle Offenses
Do you have any trouble in figuring out how to handle offenses? Perhaps you have offended someone, or they’ve offended you. In that case, what do you do to resolve it? Ignore it and hope it will go away? There are better choices that lead to peace. In today’s Bible reading, Jesus gives instructions on how to handle offenses. If we listen and obey him, we’ll do better.
Try Not to Offend
“I’ve got my rights!” a person may loudly proclaim. Yes, but at what price? Sometimes the fight will do more damage than a peaceful course. Furthermore, our insistence on having our rights can cause our testimony to be ruined.
Jesus paid a tax he didn’t owe. Sometimes it’s better to pay what we don’t owe, whether that means an apology or a fee, rather than fight about it. We should choose our battles. Let’s stand firm for truth but not be belligerent and insistent on being right.
Offenses Against Children
Usually, we think of criminal acts against children when we speak of physical or verbal abuse or neglect. We should tell our governing authorities (police) about these instances if we know of them. The Apostle Paul would later write,
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” ( Romans 13:4, NIV )
However, in today’s Bible reading, Jesus indicates that there is another type of offense—discouraging children.
Many people say that “children should be seen and not heard.” Children are sometimes noisy and act or say things without thinking. Other times, children act out because they seek attention or haven’t learned to respect their elders or behave appropriately. Nevertheless, Jesus says,
“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, [notice the attention Jesus gives him], he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me” (Mark 9:35-37, NIV).From these verses, we learn that God loves children—not from a distance—he brings them close and gives them attention. Then the Lord says children have something to teach us. “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (18:3, NIV).
What does Jesus mean? He explains it: “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (18:4, NIV). Humility and simple child-like trust are admirable qualities we can learn from the young. We can’t enter heaven if we are proud and too sophisticated to believe the gospel’s message, and we can’t progress spiritually. God offers each of us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life. Will we trust God and take it? (more...)
God likes children, so if we cause children to sin, we’re against God. and he’s against us. Jesus says,
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven [what seems to be implied is that their guardian angels report to God of their welfare]. (Matthew 18:6, NIV)
How to Deal with Differences Between Christians
God wants us to dwell in unity and peace. Nevertheless, arguments can happen between any individuals, even Christ-followers. How do we handle them? Jesus gives these directives in settling wrongs between two parties (Matthew 18:15-17 and Matthew 5:23-24):
- Handle offenses early. Don’t let the molehill become a mountain.
- Deal with the issue as privately as possible.
- The goal is restoration but not compromise of truth.
- True worship cannot occur when sin is unresolved.
- When you are offended, and someone approaches you in genuine remorse for their sins, be quick to show mercy and forgive. Don’t keep records of their wrongs and keep bringing them up.
Bearing Offenses for Following Christ
Some who followed Jesus weren't counting the costs. To one disciple, Christ described himself as poor and homeless. The cost of following Jesus might mean that he could turn out the same way. The disciple mightn’t get the fame and privileges he hoped for by following Jesus. The Lord didn’t have earthly connections to bring people wealth and prosperity. Was the disciple willing to associate with the Lord on these terms? Are we?
To another disciple Jesus said,
“Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:59-62, NIV).
What sounds like reasonable requests followed by unreasonable demands from Christ aren’t what they seem. These disciples wanted to follow Christ when convenient, like when they were old and had nothing else to do. These men wanted to wait around until their parents died, and then they would have an inheritance to spend! Are we willing to bear the offense of Christ now, or do our material desires catch us up?
Offenses against the Message of Christ
Although people see evidence of God’s work in the world, Jesus said many wouldn’t listen or appeal to him for forgiveness and change their ways. Woe to them for their judgment is coming. Arguing with them won’t do any good. There’s nothing to do for them but pray. Spend your energies on those who will listen and pray for those who won’t.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the New Testament by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, p. 39
Discussion
Should we always fight for our “rights?” Is there ever a time when we shouldn’t?
