The teaching of this chapter is important for the present time, when Christ is rejected and absent, and before the kingdom in glory, as in the 17th chapter, has come. It is connected with the 16th chapter, and unfolds the principles that belong to the kingdom and the church, as seen at the present time. It reveals the ways of God in regard to the assembly, and the character suited for this testimony.
Matthew 18:1-17. The disciples ask. “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily, I say unto you, expect ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” In the little child we get the spirit of dependence, meekness and humility, and they must become as little children. This is the proper spirit for one connected with a rejected Lord. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name, receiveth Me.”
On the other hand, he who caused one of the Lord’s believing little ones to be stumbled, should be visited with terrible judgment. Woe unto the world, because of such offenses. And it matters not, if what hinders is as valuable to the disciples as a hand or foot or eye, it is better to be losers now, than be lost for eternity: better to enter into life maimed or with one eye, rather than to be cast into eternal fire.
They must exercise the greatest care in grace to help those believing little ones, and use the most unrelenting severity towards themselves in whatever might ensnare them. That which is only for time, is nothing compared to eternity. Severity toward self, and caring in grace for others, is the rule of the kingdom.
They were not to despise the little ones, such as the Lord set before them, for if unable to look after themselves, they were the objects of the Father’s care, and they had one to represent them in His presence. They were not without sin in them, but sin not active, for they were but infants. The Father did not despise them, and the Son of Man came to save that which was lost. Here the child’s sinful state is seen, and the sacrifice of Christ is also seen meeting it. (Note: The word “seek” is not in this chapter, indicating that He is speaking of one who has not yet reached the years of responsibility). In Luke 19:10, He speaks of those grown up.
The disciples were to have the humble and confiding spirit of a little child, and they were also to have the spirit of the Father, in their care over the weak and the lowly. This is the character suited to the kingdom (Matt. 5:43-48).
In regard to offenses against one’s self, the spirit of meekness and regard for the offender’s good was to be exercised; he was to gain his brother. He was to go and tell him his fault alone; if he hearkened to him, his brother’s soul would be restored, and the matter would end there; if he would not hearken, he was to take one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established; if these means of restoration failed, it was to be made known to the assembly; and if this did not break him down, he was to leave him alone, as one of the nations or tax-gatherers – one not suitable company for a believer.
This is not discipline in the assembly; nor is it telling the assembly how to act. (The assembly must find out how to exercise discipline from the Lord in their midst). This is instruction to a Christian, and shows the spirit he should walk in towards one who had offended him; and desire to gain his brother, is to be his object.
Matthew 18:18-20 gives the assembly with Christ in their midst. In Matthew 16:18, He spoke of building it. Here it is a gathered company, and what was exercised by Peter as an apostle in Matthew 16:19, is here conferred on the assembly with the Lord’s presence in their midst.
The without and the within applies now to the assembly (1 Cor. 5:12).
If we look at Paul’s writings we will find much instruction about the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in the assembly, and gathering Christians as members of one body to Christ the Head; but in Matthew the assembly is recognized with Christ’s presence in the midst of those gathered to His name.
Matthew 18:18-20. Heaven binds what is bound by the assembly – the two or three.
Matthew 18:19. The Father grants what they ask in prayer. “For where two or three are gathered together to My name, there am I in the midst of them.”
The unity of the spirit (Eph. 4:3) would teach us that what is done in one place in Christ’s name, is done for the whole church of God everywhere.
Deeply important are these verses. Wondrous favor and dignity put upon the two or three when truly gathered to His name. But sad, indeed, when claimed by some who only pretend to it, in whose lives or associations there lacks separation from evil, or the unity of the spirit – qualities which are invoked in that worthy name – His name.
Matthew 18:21 leads us to another characteristic of Christ in the believer as suited to His kingdom, namely, pardoning grace. The children of the kingdom are imitators of God (Eph. 5:1-2), who is always ready to forgive. The assembly, having the Lord in the midst, needs to judge evil through discipline in order to clear His name from that which is not in keeping with His character. His name must not be associated with evil; and for the good of the one who sinned, that his conscience may be aroused to see God’s hatred to evil. But individually, we need to be ready to pardon without end, when the wrong is confessed.
Matthew 18:23. In this parable we have a picture of the Jews. They had not only broken the law, but crucified the Son of God. On the cross the Lord interceded for them: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” This prayer is answered in Acts 3 by Peter giving them, as a nation, another offer of pardon. This also was refused. From Stephen’s murder, they are given up as a nation, to punishment. Their wickedness is still seen in 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, and there they will remain until the Lord can say, “Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saith your God .... she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Isa. 40:1-2).
Salvation is individual at this present time, for Jew or Gentile, but “not My people” is written now upon the Jews till the day of their restoration comes (Hos. 1:9-10).
Matthew 18:35 gives this a practical application for us all. If the spirit of grace and forgiving love is not filling our hearts, we are not in happy communion with our Father.
Thus we see that the spirit of the kingdom now is not outward power, but lowliness wrought in us by the Father’s love and grace; the enjoyed favor of God keeps us from seeking earthly greatness. Filled with the spirit of grace, we will cherish the lowly, and pardon those who have wronged us. The character of God is seen in us as we walk in communion with Him.
The assembly is made up of individuals, so that each of us should have this character. The assembly represents Christ on earth, for He is in their midst, and what is of God should be seen in it. May He give us grace to enter into this blessed place and portion, as two or three gathered to Christ’s name.