Matthew 18:1-14
Q.1. How did Jesus explain greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven? What is it about children that we should copy? Why is this crucial? How does God view sins against children? Can children truly believe in Jesus? Can parents and people do damage to them? – (Mt.18:1-6 c.f. Dt.1:39)
This is not an isolated case of the disciples inquiring about greatness (Mt.18:1). Not long before the Saviour was to die – there arose a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest (Lk.22:24). Jesus took a small child and placed him before them and declared – Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt.18:3). He pointed to the humility, simple trust, uncomplicated love, and quickness to forgive so characteristic of children. We are to aspire to be humble like a child (Mt.18:4). More than that, Jesus said – whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me (Mt.18:5). To mistreat a child will incur God’s strictest judgment (Mt.18:6). That is because He described them as – … one of these little ones who believe in Me … (Mt.18:6). He seemed to suggest that little ones naturally believe in Jesus, and that this may be tampered with by the sinfulness and callousness of grown-ups. It implies that parents, teachers, and other adults will have much to answer for if causing this belief to be damaged (c.f. Dt.1:39). The lesson didn’t find a lodging place, because not much later the disciples rebuked the parents who were bringing their children to Jesus (19:13-15). Here, He had specifically challenged them about receiving a child in His Name.
Q.2. Will dangers lessen with time? How drastically should we deal with our sinful habits? What will happen to those who perpetuate evil? How does God protect our children? – (Mt.18:7-10)
Jesus knew all about the perilous times that would come. He declared – Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! (Mt.18:7). He suggested that it may be better to go through life minus some faculties. He said – 8 … it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. 9 … It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell (Mt.18:8-9). Perpetrators will be cast – into eternal fire … into the fiery hell (Mt.18:8-9). As we discovered in the story of Job, God provides special protection for little children – … for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven (Mt.18:10 c.f. Job 1:6; 2:1).
Q.3. Why did Jesus come into this world? How did Jesus illustrate the passion with which He pursues the lost? Does He care more for those who are safe or those who are lost? – (Mt.18:11-14)
Jesus came to seek and to serve. and to give His life a ransom for many (Mt.18:11 c.f. Mt.20:28; Jn.3:16). We were all lost in our trespasses and sins. However, a Champion has joined the fight. Jesus then underscored this truth with a story of one hundred sheep – ninety-nine were safe and one was lost. Where was His priority? The one lost sheep. Why so? It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish (Mt.18:14). He wants all to be saved, because if people are not saved, they will be lost forever.