Were we told to Rebuke and Forgive, or Forgive and Forget?

Returning to our chronological Gospel study, Jesus' listeners have probably let the whole "if someone comes back from the dead" bit fly over their heads. But "the Law and the Prophets"--that's the world they know, words they know, and obedience that they can control. We like being in control. We like knowing who's good and who's bad, who's in and who's out, and how to maintain order. We're may be not so keen on the forgiving bit though...

(73) Rebuke and Forgive

Jesus has just told the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. So now his listeners know: if people won’t follow Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen to someone who rises from the dead. They’re probably not thinking much about rising from the dead at the moment—a weird thought, easily ignored. But they might be wondering how the Law and the prophets apply to people following Jesus.

1.       Read Luke 17:1-2. Who are the little ones? (Matthew 18:6 and Mark 9:42 mention the millstone too.)

2.       Is it possible to avoid ever causing somebody to stumble? Does that mean there should be a millstone around our necks?

3.       Read Luke 17:3-4. Peter is about to ask how often we should forgive. Is seven a number or a symbol here?

4.       So… if we cause someone to stumble, can we be forgiven?

5.       Read Matthew 18:15-17. Could “one or two” be more than two? What might two and three symbolize?

6.       How were heathens and tax collectors treated in their society? Is this the same as shunning or being thrown out of church? (Remember Luke 18:9-14 – the Pharisee and the Tac Collector.)

7.       How might Matthew’s version of rebuke and forgiveness play out in churches today?

8.       Read Matthew 18:18. In Matthew 16:19 Jesus told Peter something very similar (just after changing his name). Who is he speaking to now? (Some interpretations say only the 12, others say all his disciples.)

9.       Can you remember what binding and loosing meant to the Pharisees, in relation to interpretation of law? How might this relate to, for example, churches relaxing their rules on divorce (which Jesus mentioned last week)?

10.   Read Matthew 18:19-20. Did you remember that this is only mentioned in Matthew? In this context, what sort of prayers or petitions is Jesus talking about? Is that how we usually think of this verse?

11.   Then Peter asks that famous question. Read Matthew 18:21-22. So, should there be a limit to forgiveness?

a.       Is this the same as “forgive and forget”?

b.      Is “forgive and forget” in the Bible? (Apparently the phrase was first used in the 1300s!)

So… it’s complicated, and Jesus explains with a parable. Read Matthew 18:23-27.

1.       It’s an enormous debt, rather like our debt to God. And it’s forgiven. Will that mean it’s forgotten?

2.       Read Matthew 18:28-30. Can you think of a rational reason why a forgiven man would behave like this?

a.      Why and how might we behave like this?

3.       Read Matthew 18:31-35. Was the first servant’s debt forgotten?

a.      If God doesn’t forget he’s forgiven us, should we forget?

b.      What might not forgetting look like – always feeling guilty or always feeling grateful?

Read Luke 17:5-6. What has faith to do with forgiveness (verse 4-5)?

1.       Does reading Luke 17:7-10 help us connect faith and forgiveness? (Does verse 10 help?)

a.       Does the master have to thank the servant?

b.      Does God have to thank us? Or forgive us?

2.       Does this help us get a right view of ourselves?

3.       Does it help us feel grateful?


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