Mt 18:1-14
Jesus’ disciples ask: "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
He called a little child, whom he placed among them. And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (3)
“Therefore, whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (4-5)
"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea.”(6)
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (10)
"If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? . . . In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (14)
Observations for living today:
God has made it possible for us to become great in His kingdom. The disciples wanted Jesus to tell them how an individual can become better than the others. I do not think He really answered the question asked, rather He responded with information to address the fear dwelling in their heart – the same fear Cain had and failed to address (Gen 4:7). Cain’s fear and quite often our fear, “will God accept me?” Sin, read Satan, according to the words God spoke to Cain, desires to destroy me, but I must rule over it. God told Cain he could do it, i.e., overcome sin and do what is right and he would be accepted by God. He failed because he did not believe God. Jesus addressed the concern of His disciples by giving them information in two areas: 1) the benefits every Child (one who believes in Jesus) can depend upon and 2) the importance of each Child to the Father.
Every Child is Great in the Kingdom
> Depends not on education, economics or chance – requires only faith in Father (Mt 18:3)
> Jesus is a big brother who identifies with and shares everything (Mt 10:40-42; 1 Jn 4:4)
> Is greater than John the Baptist; who was Elijah the forerunner of the Christ (Mal 4:5; Mt 11:14)
Each Child is Important to the Father
> Has an angel always in the presence of God ready to serve (Mt 18:10; Heb 1:14; 2 Ki 6:17)
> Nothing can happen outside of God’s authority (Jn 19:8-11)
> Will punish those who cause any harm and reward those who help (Mt 24:34-46)
> Not willing for any to perish/be lost (Mt 18:14)
Reality in Christ:
Every Christian I meet, anywhere, doing anything, is the Christ (Mt 25:40). Jesus gave us a new commandment to live by: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another – by this everyone will know you are my disciples” (Jn 13:34). As Christians we are born of God’s will (Jn 1:13) and because He first loved us we can now love Him, with His love made complete in us we can and must love one another as Jesus did (1 Jn 4) . Jesus warned of false prophets, those who proclaim themselves to Christian, but simply are not! Not everyone who calls Jesus Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus warned of many who prophesied in His name, who drove out demons and performed many miracles will hear Him say “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” But those who do the will of the Father who is in heaven, will be accepted and known by the Christ – by their fruit (what they did) they will be recognized – because a good tree cannot bear bad fruit (Mt 7:15-23).
How many times last week did you see Jesus and when you saw Him, what did you do?
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit (1 Jn 4:13). In this world we are like Jesus” (1 Jn 4:17).
Jesus’ disciples ask: "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
He called a little child, whom he placed among them. And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (3)
“Therefore, whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (4-5)
"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea.”(6)
"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (10)
"If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? . . . In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (14)
Observations for living today:
God has made it possible for us to become great in His kingdom. The disciples wanted Jesus to tell them how an individual can become better than the others. I do not think He really answered the question asked, rather He responded with information to address the fear dwelling in their heart – the same fear Cain had and failed to address (Gen 4:7). Cain’s fear and quite often our fear, “will God accept me?” Sin, read Satan, according to the words God spoke to Cain, desires to destroy me, but I must rule over it. God told Cain he could do it, i.e., overcome sin and do what is right and he would be accepted by God. He failed because he did not believe God. Jesus addressed the concern of His disciples by giving them information in two areas: 1) the benefits every Child (one who believes in Jesus) can depend upon and 2) the importance of each Child to the Father.
Every Child is Great in the Kingdom
> Depends not on education, economics or chance – requires only faith in Father (Mt 18:3)
> Jesus is a big brother who identifies with and shares everything (Mt 10:40-42; 1 Jn 4:4)
> Is greater than John the Baptist; who was Elijah the forerunner of the Christ (Mal 4:5; Mt 11:14)
Each Child is Important to the Father
> Has an angel always in the presence of God ready to serve (Mt 18:10; Heb 1:14; 2 Ki 6:17)
> Nothing can happen outside of God’s authority (Jn 19:8-11)
> Will punish those who cause any harm and reward those who help (Mt 24:34-46)
> Not willing for any to perish/be lost (Mt 18:14)
Reality in Christ:
Every Christian I meet, anywhere, doing anything, is the Christ (Mt 25:40). Jesus gave us a new commandment to live by: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another – by this everyone will know you are my disciples” (Jn 13:34). As Christians we are born of God’s will (Jn 1:13) and because He first loved us we can now love Him, with His love made complete in us we can and must love one another as Jesus did (1 Jn 4) . Jesus warned of false prophets, those who proclaim themselves to Christian, but simply are not! Not everyone who calls Jesus Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus warned of many who prophesied in His name, who drove out demons and performed many miracles will hear Him say “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” But those who do the will of the Father who is in heaven, will be accepted and known by the Christ – by their fruit (what they did) they will be recognized – because a good tree cannot bear bad fruit (Mt 7:15-23).
How many times last week did you see Jesus and when you saw Him, what did you do?
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit (1 Jn 4:13). In this world we are like Jesus” (1 Jn 4:17).
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