Matthew 18-19

[wolfpurplemoon]

Jesus says that people who make children who believe in him sin will suffer in hell.

Jesus sees sinners like lost sheep, a shepherd would leave his 99 sheep on the mountains to find the 100th that has gone astray, I'm not sure that's the best way to tend your sheep.

You should try to set your brother back on the straight and narrow by first talking to him alone, if he doesn't repent then take a couple of witnesses with you (intervention!) and then if that doesn't work he must be reported to the church. If he still doesn't listen then he should be treated like he's no longer part of the family.]

Jesus sets out the rules of marriage as being between one man and one woman, which seems to the first time polygamy is frowned upon. His followers don't appreciate his rules on divorce and decide that it'd be better not to marry so Jesus says they should become Eunuchs.

Jesus is brought little children to lay his hands on.

Jesus lists the commandments you should follow, it seems to be the ones that noone should have a problem with: do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother, and love your neighbour as yourself. Also, sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, because it is hard for rich people to get in to heaven. The people Jesus will honour the most are the ones who leave their families and homes to follow Jesus.

Comments

[zteccc.livejournal.com]

The disciples wanted to know who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. They were men and thus competitive, they wanted to know which of them was first in Jesus' eyes, this was an aspect of pride which is understandable and common, but Jesus adjusted their thinking just a bit. He said that if we weren't like children, we wouldn't get into heaven. He was referring to humility. A child, especially of that time, was humble because a child would have no rights in the society. The child would follow directions of their teachers (teachers today would love that). Jesus is saying that if we are humble and put God ahead of our own pride (as the disciples were doing), then we were doing what God wanted. Jesus went further, however and said that treating children well (and the humble people, those who were poor or not powerful) was as important as treating Jesus well.
Jesus says, however, that if anyone causes a believer to sin (even/especially a child) is doomed. Actively tempting people into sin is not cool.
Jesus refers to removing the cause of sin in one's life. While he refers to body parts as an extreme example, Jesus is not advocating auto-amputation, but telling us to remove that in our lives that causes us to sin. Written today, Jesus could say if the Internet causes you to sin (perhaps by looking at porn), then stop using the Internet. If having a car causes you to speed, then get rid of the car. Jesus is saying to do whatever it takes in one's life to avoid sin.
Jesus, still talking about children (both chronological and spiritual), says not to be cruel to them, but to treat them well.
The comparison to sheep has to do with common practice of shepherds at the time. Shepherds would pursue a missing sheep, leaving the remainder on the hill to care for themselves (sheep would congregate in a bunch most of the time, so there was little concern that another would wander off). The one who wanders off needs the most attention at that time. The same is true of people who wander away from what is good, they need more attention and care than those who are already following God.
If a Christian sins against another Christian, there is a progression of approaches to reconcile the relationship. This is referring to spiritual sin, but it can apply to any. Speak privately (so as not to embarrass them or air a conflict in public), then if need be bring a few believers (common friends) as witnesses. If the sin is not resolved, then bring the matter to church leadership. If the sinner still refuses to acknowledge the sin and repent, they are to be treated as nonbelievers. This progression applies to matters between Christians, not between Christians and nonbelievers and it is not an attack but a way to help guide the offender to acknowledge the sin and reconcile it. Note that a believer should always acknowledge their sin because they know that the sin is forgiven, because it cannot be hidden from God, and because it is scriptural.
Jesus says that in the case of the progression listed above, if the sinner denies his sin and is treated as a nonbeliever, that decision is binding as is our forgiveness of the sin.
Peter asks how many times we should forgive someone. Jesus answers with a large number (depending on translation either 77 or 490 times). The number, of course, isn't important, but rather the idea that we keep on forgiving a repentant person who is struggling with some issue.
The parable of the non-forgiving official shows the difference between forgiveness and non-forgiveness and that there is a penalty for non-forgiveness that is just as harsh as the penalty for the original sin. This is a parallel for Christians, we are forgiven of our sin even though it was an amount that could not be paid. We are therefore expected to forgive those who sin against us (see the Lord's prayer).