The Church That Cares Enough to Step In
Living together under the authority and presence of Christ
If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.
Matthew 18:17-20
Matthew 18 paints a picture of what life inside the church should be. Greatness is measured in humility (v. 1–4). The lowly are treasured (vv. 5–6). Sin is taken seriously (v. 7–9). Every soul is valued (v. 10–14). Reconciliation begins with private conversation (v. 15), then with the help of trusted others (v. 16). And if all else fails, Jesus says, “tell it to the church” (v. 17).
Sadly, when we hear “tell it to the church,” we often think only of punishment. But the point here is care. The whole church is called to be part of the plea: “Come back. Don’t walk away. You matter to us, and you matter to God.” This is love in action. “My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back… whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19–20).
A caring church doesn’t ignore when a brother is missing. It doesn’t whisper or look the other way. It doesn’t pass responsibility only to the elders or preacher. It acts together because every soul is precious. “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
But too often today, the opposite happens. Instead of lovingly engaging, silence wins. Instead of reaching out, gossip spreads. Instead of the body working together, warnings and labels get passed around. Yet Scripture is clear: “Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters” (James 4:11). “Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down” (Proverbs 26:20).
Yes, there may come a time when someone refuses every appeal. At that point, Jesus says to regard him as a Gentile or tax collector. But how did Jesus treat Gentiles and tax collectors? He ate with them. He called them. He extended grace with an open hand, inviting repentance. “For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13).
This is the life Jesus expects in His church: not cold avoidance, but courageous care. Not gossip, but grace. Not silence, but love that will risk hard conversations for the sake of a soul. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony” (Psalm 133:1).
And then Jesus adds this assurance: “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven” (v. 18). These words show that when the church acts in obedience to Christ’s teaching, heaven affirms it. Restoration and discipline are not human inventions, they are reflections of God’s will. What is done faithfully on earth has eternal ramifications.
Jesus goes further: “If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven” (v. 19). Reconciliation is not just a matter of procedure, it is bathed in prayer. Unity in prayer brings the power of heaven into the hardest conversations. It reminds us that we are not working alone; God Himself is working through our appeals, our tears, our pleas for peace.
Finally, Jesus promises: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them” (v. 20). We often quote this verse about worship services, but the context is reconciliation. When even two or three come together to restore a brother, Jesus is present. His presence dignifies the process. His authority gives weight to our words. His love transforms what might feel small into something sacred.
And this brings us full circle to the heart of it all: “For the Son of Man has come to save the lost” (v. 11). Everything in this chapter flows from that mission. A church that humbles itself, treasures every soul, confronts sin, pursues reconciliation, prays together, and acts in unity is a church that reflects the Shepherd’s heart.
So let us rise to what Jesus calls us to be. Let us refuse the easy paths of silence, gossip, and suspicion. Let us choose humility, conversation, and prayer. Let us be the kind of church where broken people are pursued, where burdens are carried, where every soul is valued, and where Christ Himself is unmistakably present.
