WWJD? Week 3 - "How Jesus Handles Conflict

 

What Would Jesus Do? Reclaiming a Christ-centered Faith 

This series will help us rediscover what it means to follow Jesus—not the Jesus we’ve created in our image, but the Jesus revealed in Scripture. 

Today we’re going to explore how asking “What Would Jesus Do?” impacts our relationships with others.  

We live in a culture where it's far too easy to cut people loose when they wrong us, offend us, insult us, etc. 

I've been guilty of this in the past when I unfriend or unfollow someone on social media after they post things that make my blood boil.  

It's either that or start an argument online where all kinds of other people get involved, taking sides and hacking at each other with hard words typed from a safe distance.  

It's a good thing that Jesus doesn't treat us like that.  

Our culture cancels and shames.  Jesus restores.  

Christians ought to measure success by reconciling broken relationships, not by being right.  But we do love being right, don't we?  We love being right so much that we are willing to let relationships fall apart so we can hold on to our rightness.  

So today we're going to focus on one big idea that will thread its way through the entire sermon.  

IN AN AGE OF OUTRAGE, JESUS TEACHES RECONCILIATION

Matthew 18:15-16; 20

15 If one of my followers[a] sins against you, go and point out what was wrong. But do it in private, just between the two of you. If that person listens, you have won back a follower. 

16  But if that one refuses to listen, take along one or two others. The Scriptures teach that every complaint must be proven true by two or more witnesses.

20 Whenever two or three of you come together in my name,[c] I am there with you.

• This teaching reflects the intended audience of Matthew’s Gospel

Matthew's Gospel was intended for Jewish followers of Jesus — a way for them to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with other Jewish people.  

• It follows the legal terminology found in Mosaic law, but with a twist.  

This same kind of pattern was required in legal matters.  Jesus reframes it here in words of reconciliation and restoration.  

• The pattern is simple: Go to the person first to seek reconciliation. 
• Then bring two to three “witnesses” to appeal to the person.  

The idea is that more people can speak into the situation and help determine the truth.  

• Jesus indicates that there is another witness: Himself

There's something beautiful about the idea of Jesus accompanying those who are genuinely coming together to find unity and peace, and to work toward reconciliation. 

The pattern we see here also appears in Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, where he addresses a scandal in the church.  It’s a way to work toward unity in the community of faith.  

Some Thoughts

• Go to the person—not around them. 

It takes courage to avoid gossip, either spreading it or listening to it.  Gossip is like a virus; it needs a host, and when we're healthy, we can stop it from spreading. 

Conversation — the face-to-face kind — is the best way we can work to remove assumptions.  

• Seek restoration, not victory. 

The goal should always be healing and restoring, not winning what we see as a battle.  Every person bears the image of God, and we would do well to remember that when we are in conflict with someone. 

• Christ is present whenever we pursue reconciliation.  

"Where two or three are gathered..."  Jesus is found in peacemaking and reconciliation because that is the work he came to do.  

Who is Jesus inviting you to approach with humility this week?

IN AN AGE OF OUTRAGE, JESUS TEACHES RECONCILIATION