Three strikes doesn't mean you are out

This week we looked at Matthew 18:15-20. I reflected that one way to hear this passage (an incorrect way, for certain) is as a “three strikes” policy. 

“This passage can sound like that, like ‘Three strikes and you’re out.’ If a brother or sister sins against you, have a one-on-one conversation. If that’s strike one, go back with one or two other people. If that’s strike two, take it to the church. If that’s strike three, they’re out. Treat them like a tax collector or pagan.”

I came across the website for Saint Louis Challenger Baseball. This is baseball without strikes, and I’d encourage you to check out their philosophy. The homepage reads,

 “Challenger Baseball

A baseball league for kids with disabilities.

A chance for kids to come together as a team and be cheered.
We don't count outs and we don't count runs.
Everybody plays. Everybody scores. Everybody wins.”

That is a good picture of the church as Jesus presents it in Matthew 18:15-20. Here’s what I mean: repentance and restoration is the goal of the passage. Jesus makes it clear that persistence is crucial, and not just persistence in saying the same thing over and over. When I was a teacher, I picked up a phrase in one of my continuing education classes that stuck with me: “Fair is not everybody getting the same; fair is everybody getting what they need.” We pursue repentance and restoration in that persistent way that gives our brother or sister what they need. This is not a “three strikes and you’re out” passage.

"The fundamental goal of Challenger Baseball is to give everyone a chance to play. To realize that goal, Challenger has two basic rules: every player bats each inning, and every player plays the field. We don't count strikes, and we don't count outs. Everybody scores, and everybody wins.

Challenger Baseball participants learn not only the fundamentals of baseball, but also experience pulling together as a team, be cheered on by a crowd, and being encouraged by their peers. All players are named all-stars, and all receive trophies at the end-of-the-season picnic."

Competition may have its place in life, but does it have a place in the body of Christ? Strikes and outs are necessary for competition, but teamwork is the framework for the church. 

There is a bite in this passage, though. In 18:17 Jesus says, “if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Jesus does not teach that anything goes. Using baseball language, not everybody will want to play. As far as the church is concerned, there is always room for one more on the team. In fact, as far as the church is concerned, there will always be excitement for one more player on the team. The reality, though, is that some will not respond to the call.

Point to ponder: What does it mean to treat someone like a tax collector or pagan? To answer that, first consider the two parables that sandwich this passage (the wandering sheep and the unmerciful servant), then spend some time on Luke 5:27-32 and Luke 19:1-10.

To Jesus, treating someone as a tax collector or pagan meant always aiming for restoration, always encouraging repentance. Pursue restoration as if you believe it is going to happen. We never give up on others because God never gives up on us.

Bible in 90 Days - Day 88 (Revelation 18-22)

Living God,

help us to hear your holy Word with open hearts

so that we may truly understand;

and, understanding, that we may believe;

and, believing, that we may follow in all faithfulness and obedience,

seeking your honor and glory in all that we do.

Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

This is it – the final day of reading! Congratulations for being here! The joy is not merely in the accomplishment of reading this incredible book from cover to cover, although that is a great accomplishment. The joy is in receiving God’s revelation of who he is, what he is doing, and how he loves us.

When God created everything and saw that it was good, especially male and female created in his very image – we were there. When Adam and Eve sinned, and humankind was banished from God’s special presence – we were there. When God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants to be their God forever – we were there. Every cycle of slavery and freedom, bondage to sin and restoration, wandering from God like silly sheep and God bringing back like a good shepherd – we were there. When Jesus died on the cross, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us back into God’s special presence – we were there! Romans 6:3-5 says, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” This is our story!

Now we finish the book of Revelation. These last chapters are the culmination of the love story. God, as always, is drawing us to him, and this is the picture of how our story transitions from now into eternity.

From passages like Ephesians 5:22-33 we know that the church is the bride of Christ, represented here as Jerusalem.  After reading the Bible so quickly and seeing big themes, I hope you see how glorious the statement in Revelation 21:3 is – “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” There is no need for a temple or light because God is both of those. The tree of life is there. Everything comes full-circle! God wins!

What better words to finish off the most important book in the entire world than these:

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.