No one likes a cheat apart from the cheater who often prides themselves on their
cunning ability to circumvent the rules to their own advantage.
I have been watching a TV fishing competition recently called Kingfisher. The show comprises three different professional anglers from vastly different parts of the world who in turn host the other two anglers on a fishing trip in their own country. The host angler provides the equipment and sets the rules for the competition. They are also expected to give advice
and coaching where necessary especially if their fellow competitors are unfamiliar with the surroundings, type of quarry and techniques required.
Most of the anglers are charming hosts in fact each angler scores their fellow competitors on their overall experience including hospitality. Unfortunately one or two are so competitive that they twist and even break their own rules in order to win on their home ground. It is
ugly to watch and even though they may win the trophy, their victory seems hollow and worthless. The frustrated expressions on the faces of the other competitors says it all.
Rules are there for a reason and when overly competitive players cheat to win it robs their fellow players of all the joy of playing. Whilst I doubt if any of us habitually and deliberately practice deception we do from time to time get things wrong. We
make poor choices often through selfish motives and these choices, actions or attitudes can cause upset to unity and friendship across the whole community.
In our gospel reading today today we witness a specialised training session delivered by Jesus to his lead disciples. The principle disciples would soon be in positions of leadership within the newly emerging early Christian community and it was important that Jesus
discussed appropriate measures of maintaining discipline in the Church.
In Matt 18:15-20 we find a really sensible model of conflict resolution, one which is used in secular society today. The process incorporates both the informal and formal paths of conflict resolution. Grievances within the Church between members should be handled discretely and in private. If that fails informal third party arbitration should be
explored. If this fails then and only then may the matter be made public and be brought before the Church from more serious consequences even to the point of excommunication may be considered.
Jesus’s seemingly reassuring words to the effect that his presence is assured when two or more believers meet in his is actually meant to be taken in my attempt at a modern paraphrase as “Guys when two or three of you in
leadership agree upon a judgement and course of action when dealing with conflicts in the Church you have my complete backing.”
Under Jewish law three judges were required to judge a minor case and at least two witnesses required to bring a charge in the case of capital crimes (Deut 17:6). Furthermore, one of those two witnesses is required to stand by their testimony to such an extent that “The hands of the witnesses must
be the first in putting that person to death.” (v7).
In dealing with Church conflicts Jesus promised that he would always be present by his Spirit at any such proceedings as the third judge, furthermore what was decided on earth by them would be ratified in heaven by him.
I hate conflict. As Warden at Church House it was in dealing with such things that finally led to my 4 month
nervous breakdown. It is, however, a function of leadership and from which we must not excuse ourselves, but conflict of any kind between people is seldom easy to resolve, especially when both parties are entrenched in their positions and will not budge. At an international level it is even worse. It is not the politicians who suffer in war, but the ordinary people. Such suffering is the poisoned fruit from the tree of power, cultivated and pruned by
politicians who are utterly convinced of the moral justification for their actions.
I began this sermon talking about rules and rule breaking or bending. In Rom 13:6-14, St Paul, as did Jesus before him, reflects on the value of the rules of the Jewish community. St Paul quite rightly identifies that the principle of Love fulfils all Law. If we truly act out of love, desiring only the highest good of another, serving them unconditionally and selflessly
we are unlikely to offend them.
Jesus before him affirmed that whole hearted, mindful love of God and neighbour exercised with all our strength and ability fulfils the Law and Prophets (Matt 22: 34-40).
Taking this principle into conflict resolution will make the process much less painful and lead to far greater success. If we approach the person with whom we have conflicting issues lovingly, no
matter how much hurt we feel, we will be in a much better position to come to a point of reconciliation. We should listen lovingly in order to seek to gain understanding rather than simply to be understood. We should speak in love without thoughtless, hate-filled accusations and if we desire the highest good of another, despite hurt we may feel, our actions and words will not be corroded by vitriol.
Should we have to escalate the process then we will know
in our heart that we have acted in Jesus’s name and way, but even escalation must be exercised with love and concern for the offended parties and a sincere desire for healing and reconciliation.
Harsh though it may seem only a fool will deliberately decide to ignore such lovingly sensitive action and they risk forfeiting their right to further participation in the community.
Unresolved conflict is highly injurious to unity which is at the heart of Jesus’s desire for the Church under the command of love. So let us never be tempted to bend the rules, but to abide by them. If we consider such rules to be in error then there are appropriate means and processes to follow to have them amended without resorting to cheating.
There is, however, one all encompassing rule which will never be repealed and that is
the rule of love. Live by that and you will never go wrong
We have seen that interpreting Jesus’s words as assurance of his abiding presence even when small numbers of his followers assemble is incorrect. That being said, however, he is always with us and the Holy Spirit’s inspired intimacy is felt even when only two or three gather in the name of Jesus.
This fact makes the sweetness of Christian fellowship a joy to taste.
Amen.