We’re looking at Jesus talking about how to address sin. We’re looking at a passage that is used as a guideline for what is called “church discipline.” We’re looking at the beginning of the process, where Jesus says, “If your brother sins, tell him.”
As I thought about the process, I thought, “But, did Jesus do this?”
The question comes because it is hard to help other people consider sin. The question comes because Jesus often says something and then lives it. The question comes because if we are learning from Jesus how to follow him, it would be interesting to see if/how he lived what he taught.
Do did Jesus ever look at someone who sinned and address them individually?
You mean like he did with Martha who was rushing around ignoring him? He spoke to and said, “listen to me.”
You mean like he did with a woman whose relationships were, as Facebook says, “complicated?” He spoke to her and said, “I’d like to help you fill the hole in your heart.”
You mean like he did with Peter who had abandoned Jesus and then denied ever knowing Him? Jesus spoke to him and said, three times, “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.”
You mean like person after person who came for healing and he told, “your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus consistently put himself in the presence of people who had sinned and gently but specifically pointed out the problem, offered forgiveness, and continued to have a relationship with them. There is a serious informality, a warmth. Sometimes we see a response. Sometimes we don’t. Likely, there are many such conversations we don’t see.
When Jesus says, “If your brother sins, tell him,” Jesus was merely saying, “Here’s the restoration principle you have been watching me live.”
300 words a day 
dpcafe
To add to that story where Jesus “corrected” Peter, it’s good to also remember that Jesus first gave Peter an anonymous tip that led to a bonus catch of fishes when Peter & company were catching nothing all day. When Peter realized who the anonymous caller was, Jesus still corrected Peter not, but cooked a meal ( of fish ) for Peter, and only during the meal did Jesus corrected Peter.
I think it goes to show we need to take all these “correcting” slowly & carefully…
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Jon Swanson
thank you for taking me back into this story. 1. The whole gentleness and encouraging of this approach is huge. you have laid it out very well, identifying the layers of help and forgiveness. 2. What is important to remember is that Peter had already felt huge remorse on the night/early morning following his denial. In a sense (as Nancy reminded me this morning), this is Jesus saying, “I accept your apology.” Often when we have to confront/correct, people have already seen what they have done wrong.
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Hannah
There are times when Jesus gets downright pissed at sin (figs, anyone?). But I get your point. I wanted to share a story:
A while back, our church was burgled early on a Sunday morning. A few months later, our pastor was invited to go make a victim’s statement in court. After briefly describing what had happened, he said to the criminal: “These things were taken from us, but our treasure is in Heaven, and that treasure is the grace and forgiveness that we now offer to you.” And then he left.
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