Various other teachings (Matthew 18:10-35)

Jesus uses the occasion to explain a few other things.

The parable lost sheep

God is like a shepherd who leaves the herd of sheep to find the one that is lost.  God is also happier about finding the one that is lost than about the herd that did not get lost.

This is kind of similar to the story of the prodigal son, but uses the sheep-shepherd analogy instead of the father-son.

The context within the chapter as a whole discusses how people are to relate to one another, particularly children (look after these little ones).  This underscores a social responsibility of Christians to look after each other.


Conflict resolution

Jesus says that if someone sins, go to the person privately at first.  If that does not work, go with two or three others.  If that does not work, bring the matter to the church.  If that fails, treat the person "as you would a pagan or tax collector".  

If we follow Jesus example of eating with tax collectors, the "last resort" option is still not ostracization or banishment from the community.  Rather, it still involves communal fellowship, but with different expectations.

This actually is an interesting contrast to a super-literal interpretation of "turning the other cheek".  Here, Jesus says it is OK for conflicts to exist, but provides a road map for their resolution.

Forgiveness

Simon Peter asks Jesus how many times one should forgive a brother.  Simon Peter suggests seven.  Jesus says no, but rather seven times seventy.  This should not mean a literal limit of 490 times and no more, but effectively unlimited grace and forgiveness.

Jesus then explains a parable in which a man is forgiven a very large debt by the king, but then treats another person very harshly who cannot pay a smaller debt.  

We have all been wronged and we have all been wronged.  There are probably several interpretations to this parable, but it stands to remind me that the wrongs ("debts") I have done to others and the others are a fraction of debt that has been by Jesus on my behalf.  Thus, to treat others with contempt for wrongs and hold grudges actually dishonors the debt Jesus paid.