The most accurate portrayal of a Christian is one who emulates Jesus’ behaviour. Those who identify as Christians yet fail to exhibit Jesus’ qualities do not truly adhere to Christianity. The Jews committed many acts that could have offended Jesus but never succeeded in offending Him. The gravest insult they hurled at Him was equating His deeds with those of Beelzebub (Matthew 12:31-32). Given that Jesus was never offended, it stands to reason that a genuine Christian should also be impervious to offence. However, Jesus stated that offences would come.
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offences! For offences must come, but woe to that man by whom the offence comes!” (Matthew 18:6-7 NKJV).
The rationale behind Jesus’ pronouncement is that to offend a Christian is to risk losing one of God’s potential children. Once offended, a person is no longer considered a child of God, implying they may never receive another opportunity. Let alone the person who caused that offence. This might also explain why Jesus urged people to consider the costs before following Him. In this view, only those who avoid insult, emulating Jesus, would enter the Kingdom of God.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
“The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
“So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses” (Matthew 18:21-35 NKJV).
No description of a true Christian could surpass what is outlined in the aforementioned parable. Matthew 18, taken as a whole, suggests a dual-natured aspect within Christianity, each with its own potential perils. It encompasses the principle of not offending others, as well as the principle of not taking offence to oneself. In this scripture, Jesus conveyed that a Christian’s safety lies in the balance of not offending others and not being offended. We now have to explore the possibility of committing and avoiding committing either of these two deadly transgressions.
The concept that all sins, whether past, present, or future, are forgivable is a central tenet of Christianity, rooted in the grace offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This belief posits that faith in Jesus results in the absolution of all sins. Nevertheless, the Bible specifies an exception: the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (referenced in Matthew 12:31-32, Hebrews 10:26-27, and Exodus 20:7). Regrettably, despite its fundamental basis in scripture, this doctrine is not widely taught within Christian communities.
The issue stems from the concept of authoritarian leadership, which was inappropriately introduced into Christianity. A Christian may be offended in two ways: firstly, by being misled by a leader presumed to be an authority, and yet misleading them; and secondly, by witnessing sinful behaviour in someone previously thought to be impeccable. Such misconduct by church leaders often leads to some Christians discontinuing their attendance. For example, when a regular churchgoer sees a Bishop engaging in adultery, it becomes challenging to forgive someone who was once highly respected. These two points might reflect Jesus’ perspective when submitting His teaching, arising from the issue of leadership.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:1-6 NKJV).
The disciples questioned the nature of leadership, reflecting the norms of their time and the secular world. For organizations to operate effectively, leadership is essential. Typically, leaders are highly respected. However, Jesus introduced a contrasting model of leadership, one where greatness is attributed to those who serve. In essence, true greatness comes not from high esteem but from humility. To exemplify this, Jesus pointed to a little child, often viewed as naive, as a symbol of humility. This does not necessarily mean feigning ignorance. The clarity of this point is further illustrated in the following Scriptural passage:
But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:8-12 NKJV).
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul likened the structure of a church to that of a human body. He pointed to the obvious; no limb can be deemed more or less important than another (1 Corinthians 12). This implies that each component functions in service of the entire system. Within a physical body, the limbs operate under the command of the individual’s will. For instance, my fingers move to type this text in alignment with my perception of constructing some communication. The acknowledgement for the typed words is attributed not to my fingers, but to me, as the conscious entity.
Similarly, in the Christian faith, Jesus is recognized as the conscious entity. It would be misguided to credit my fingers for the words typed, rather than acknowledging me as the source. Similarly, people often attribute the works of Christ to human efforts. In this world, the acceptance or rejection of material often hinges on the presenter’s background. Esteemed individuals may have their nonsensical material accepted, while those from less esteemed backgrounds might have their sensible material rejected.
It seems to be a widespread trend across various Christian denominations that Christ is seldom viewed as the authoritative figure. The Bible depicts Jesus as being rejected during His time on Earth. Similarly, Christ is overlooked today through the establishment of hierarchical leadership within Christianity. The disregard that Jesus faced in the first century is akin to the current dismissal, due to these leadership structures.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. I do not receive honour from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honour from one another, and do not seek the honour that comes from the only God?” (John 5:39-44 NKJV).
Throughout His ministry, Jesus imparted many teachings, central to which was the call to embrace humility for acceptance. These teachings clearly advocate for the rejection of authoritarian leadership within Churches. The twelve disciples often struggled with issues of hierarchy. Many Scriptures emphasize Jesus’ teachings on humility, particularly the foot-washing event in John 13. For example, the struggle for leadership was once exemplified by James and John when they sought prominent roles from Jesus.
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”
So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:20-28 NKJV).
The subject of leadership appeared to be a prevailing theme among the disciples. It is, after all, a critical factor that dictates the success or failure of Christian initiatives. Offences often arise from authoritarian leadership structures, as well as from individuals who are unable to forgive. The inability to forgive may stem from the leader being held in too high regard, or from the leader misleading others by claiming to have a closer relationship with Jesus than anyone else. Understanding the Scriptures in question renders the notion of taking offence implausible, as humility precludes the assertion of authority by anyone.
Being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit entails a duty that safeguards against being misled. While there is much to learn from others, the same people should not be blamed if their teachings are later proved incorrect. As humans, we should not take offence at others’ faults. Granting forgiveness after adopting equal status cannot be challenging. Therefore, it is often those who hold their Bishop in high regard who get offended by the Bishop’s wrongdoings. What escapes such unforgiving people is the recognition that all humans are equally fallible.
Living in a physical body, it is impossible to avoid sin, which is precisely why Jesus was crucified. The world is ensnared in sin, a trap that can only be escaped through the sacrifice of Jesus. Yet, the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse those filled with pride. This was the issue with the Pharisees, who believed that adherence to the law would grant them salvation, not realizing that their approach to the law was, in fact, a direct violation of it.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14 NKJV).
Prayer typically signifies a plea for God’s mercy. However, the Scripture in question depicts a Pharisee who did not seek mercy, presuming he already had God’s favour, thus deeming prayer unnecessary. Conversely, the tax collector, despite his corrupt practices, recognized his sinfulness, which became his strength. This recognition of sin made him open to God’s forgiveness. Similarly, true Christians, acknowledging their own sins, are not easily offended and are quick to forgive others within their community. I consider this the sole factor that maintains my health and happiness, despite numerous insults intended to belittle my endeavours.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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