Sunday’s Recap, Monday’s Call

September 7th, 2026

Sunday’s Recap: Conflict

Guiding Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14, Matthew 18:15-20

Many people do not like conflict, myself included. I have had multiple friend groups end because of conflicts that did not even involve me, leaving me to pick up the pieces of broken companionship. Being caught in the middle of conflict is not a place many of us enjoy.

And yet, the nature of humanity means there will always be conflict to navigate, whether we want it or not. From major conflicts such as war to minor disagreements we encounter at home, conflict seems to be a constant part of our world.

The church is no exception. Some of the ugliest conflicts can come from places of deeply held religious conviction. We look back at those conflicts and wonder, “How could Christians behave in such a way?” Yet from the dawn of Christianity, conflicts small and large, petty and devastating, have always been part of the church.

Jesus seems to know this. In the passage from Matthew we explored yesterday, Jesus gives his followers a way to respond when conflict inevitably arises within the church. The goal is not to avoid conflict or pretend it does not exist. Instead, Jesus gives us a path toward reconciliation.

We are encouraged not to triangulate a problem by sending someone else to handle it for us. Rather, we are instructed to face the issue directly. If reconciliation does not occur, we involve others who can help create an environment of grace, accountability, and love. If that still does not work, Jesus tells us to treat the person as we would a Gentile and tax collector.

That may sound harsh until we remember how Jesus treated Gentiles, tax collectors, and other outsiders. Reconciliation may not always be possible. We may not always be able to restore a relationship or bring someone back into our church community. But that does not give us permission to treat anyone with anything less than the love and grace of Christ.

The first Passover in Exodus gives us a somewhat different picture, and there is certainly a tension there worth wrestling with. But it also reminds us that ultimate power belongs to God, not us. Because of that, it is not our place to handle conflict through violence or hate.

Not every conflict can be reconciled. Not every friendship can be restored. Sometimes the harm is too great, or people are unwilling or unable to reconcile for any number of understandable reasons. Our job as the church is to foster an environment where reconciliation is possible, not to force it.

We are simply called to do our best to keep treating others as Jesus treated them.

Monday’s Call

This week, may we strive to be a reconciling church in every space we enter. When we are on our own, may we embody the way of Christ. When two or three of us are gathered, may we be the church Jesus calls us to be.

As you move through your week, consider trying one or more of these spiritual practices:

• ^🎯Practice directnes:. If you find yourself talking about a conflict with someone who is not part of it, pause and ask yourself: Is this something I need to bring directly to the person involved? Resist the temptation to triangulate, and when possible, approach conflict with honesty, grace, and love.
• 👁️Notice the outsider:. Pay attention to the people you encounter who feel like they are on the outside. How do you treat them? How might you make more room for them? Ask yourself: Would this person experience Christ through the way I am treating them?
• ✍️Reflect and journal:
  • Where am I currently experiencing conflict, and how am I responding to it?
  • Am I seeking reconciliation, or am I more interested in being right?
  • Where might I be tempted to avoid conflict, triangulate, or use power to force an outcome?
  • What would it look like to approach one of these situations with the love and grace of Christ?

May we keep our church attitudes on this week, not to avoid the messy places of life, but to bring the healing love of Christ into them.