…the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child…So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:1-14
In our verses today, Jesus uses a child to illustrate 3 short parables on humbleness, temptations and, God’s will regarding “little ones.” Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, His Disciples argued about one or the other being the greatest in the kingdom to come. Their desire to have a high position in the coming kingdom reflects their belief that they saw Jesus as a political/military messiah come to defeat the Roman authority over their land and to bring peace and salvation to all the world. Jesus has been patiently abiding their natural yet, sinful ways, by using examples of everyday life and bluntly telling them of His “fate” awaiting Him in Jerusalem. Here, Jesus takes a small child, as an example, to demonstrate that humbleness marks those who will be greatest in God’s kingdom. Receiving children, in the name of Christ, is what Christians are to do. Causing a child, who believes in Jesus, to sin is a heinous sin which Jesus said it would be better that a millstone be hung around that person’s neck and he be thrown into the sea to drown than to tempt a child to sin. Children are a type for adults to see, in them, a humbleness which reflects the trust that Jesus requires of His followers. Next, Jesus pronounces woe upon the world for its temptations to sin. Jesus is talking about the world system ruled by Satan and his demons. He says that it is the nature of humans, in a fallen world, to be tempted and fall into sin. Though temptations are “necessary,” Jesus pronounces “woe” upon those who cause someone, especially children, to sin. Jesus’ examples of removing body parts to keep one from “sinning” further, in order to enter Heaven, demonstrates the severity of sin and its heinousness, and gives the Christian pause to consider any sin he may contemplate committing. This is not a command to be obeyed for no Christian would have a whole body, in this life, if it were a command. The third parable is one Jesus has repeated several times about the lost sheep. In this parable, Jesus tells of a shepherd with 100 sheep and one has become lost from the flock. Jesus’ point is that a good shepherd will leave the 99 sheep, who are safe, and search for the one lost. When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he rejoices over it. Then, Jesus concludes the parable by saying our Heavenly Father does not want any of His “little ones,” disciples, to perish. Oh, the great Love of our Father in Heaven who has provided the way for His lost sheep to be saved through the shed blood of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Source: S C Ball March 7, 2023
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