Smoodock's Blog

We often read over this next scripture (Matthew 18:7-10), believing it is hardly something we would consider doing. Think about it: “Woe to the world…” because of something we would do? Come on! How could the church bring woes to the world? Some scholars believe that this scripture refers to things the world does to the “little ones,” but no, they’re wrong. It is something believers do to one another that brings woe to the world! Notice Jesus’ words: “If **your** hand or **your** foot offends…” (Matthew 18:8) or “…if **your** eye offends…” (Matthew 18:9), vis-à-vis if the hands, feet or eyes of Jesus’ disciples offend… This isn’t the world. This is the church! “WOE” is upon the world, because of the church!

Consider Matthew 18:7-10, for example. Jesus referred to Judas, one of the Twelve, as his friend (Luke 12:1, 4), and he was ordained to be with Jesus (Mark 3:14). Moreover, he, with the others, was given authority over all kinds of sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 10:1). In fact, Judas was among those, whom Jesus sent out to preach the Gospel (Mark 6:7, 12-13), and he was successful (Mark 6:30), because it was given to him to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:11). He truly believed that Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 14:33) and was exceeding sorry to understand Jesus would be betrayed (Matthew 17:23). Finally, he rejoiced over the great works Jesus had done (Luke 19:37). Nevertheless, he looked for an appropriate time to betray Jesus by assisting his enemies (Luke 22:4, 6)!

Why? What would cause Judas to turn from serving Jesus to betray him? A case could be made that Judas was heavy into politics. His name, Iscariot, describes him as a “Dagger Man” or one of the feared Sacarii, a political group of zealots, who were well known for using concealed daggers, for slaying those whom they believed were political enemies. Undoubtedly, Judas believed with most Jews that the Messiah could not be killed (John 12:34), so betraying him had no negative consequence. Therefore, in an effort to get Jesus to behave like messiahs should, Judas betrayed him, putting him in the hands of his enemies, hoping to force Jesus to act out his messianic office and save himself and the nation from their enemies. However, Jesus wasn’t that kind of Messiah, and Judas betrayed his Savior, because he was heavy into the politics of his day! He thought his “cause” and the Messiah’s “cause” were one and the same. They weren’t, and, unable to live with what he had done, he later hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5). Of course, Judas’ activity did affect Jesus’ ministry, but it also affected the Jewish nation … and the world?

Peter would be another example! Peter boasted of his loyalty to Jesus (Matthew 26:33), and, when Jesus was arrested, Peter followed after him, under the persona of not being one of Jesus’ disciples. Now, Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny knowing him three times before morning (Matthew 26:34). Nevertheless, in an effort to understand what would happen to Jesus and to find out how he and the others could gain Jesus’ release, Peter followed after Jesus who had been arrested by the Temple guard (Matthew 26:58). Nevertheless, instead of gaining information that would aid in Jesus’ release, Peter denied knowing his Friend three times in about two or three hours (Matthew 26:69-74)!

Indeed, Peter was forgiven, so everything turned out okay, correct? Well, it’s really not that simple. Peter’s denial of his Savior had consequences. Afterwards, he didn’t believe he was worthy to be an Apostle. In fact, he fully intended to return to his fishing business, and he was taking six other disciples with him (John 21:2-3). Peter had to be restored to the fold. Denying Jesus, wasn’t like a simple false witness. It represented rebellion: “Who me? I don’t know the man! How many times must I say it?” Peter cut himself off from Jesus, while trying to rescue him, and he had to be restored to the fold. Peter believed he’d gone too far and couldn’t be a disciple. A real barrier between Peter and Jesus existed, and by his example, he was taking many brethren with him.

Therefore, Jesus came and restored Peter to the fold (John 21). Yes, he was forgiven, but so was Judas! Happy reunions don’t always occur for folks who commit offenses, and many other folks often suffer with them. None of us live and die to ourselves alone. We often affect others when we behave in a certain manner (Matthew 18:8). Sometimes we “see things” (Matthew 18:9) and are offended over the good that others do (cp. Matthew 20:15), seeing only what we want to see, blind to the truth behind what others do (Matthew 13:15). To make matters worse, other folks will believe what we tell them, placing ourselves and them in a place like Peter and the six other disciples were in, vis-à-vis where Jesus is unable to show mercy without restoration (John 12:35-40).

So, is the world in a woeful place because of how the Church of God treats these “little ones” (Matthew 18:7)? Let’s put it this way. During Jesus’ public ministry, the religious leaders of the day feared him. Most of the people loved and revered him, despite their not understanding everything he taught. As for the political and religious authorities of that day, most of them didn’t know Jesus, but those who did, vis-à-vis Herod and Pilate, didn’t consider him a threat to their way of life or their political goals. Is this the same of Christians and the world today? No, it isn’t. Believing they stand with Jesus, religious leaders make alliances with political powers. Although the general public may revere Jesus, increasing numbers criticize him, because Christian leaders seek to enforce their/Jesus’ will upon them through the power of the state. I’d call that a “WOE”!