Matthew Chapter 18
The innocence of a child is something that most all parents want to hold onto for their children as long as possible. We want to protect them from the world. Jesus expressed this same desire to His disciples when He called a little child to come to Him.
As Jesus spoke to disciples who had just asked Him what their administrative place would be in His kingdom, Jesus asked them to look at the humility and innocence of the child before them.
This was not the answer to the question that they expected that day. Jesus was teaching them about His concern with their heart attitude.
These were Jesus’ disciples, they were willing to follow Jesus; so why would He be talking about how they treat children and how they must be converted (act like children) to enter the kingdom of heaven?
He wanted them to understand that the kingdom was not about power and places of authority, but it was about humility and being a servant. And like a young innocent child who comes to an adult in humility, these men needed to submit to the authority of the Father and come with childlike faith showing their need for His direction.
Let's Reflect
1. Jesus was teaching that the gospel message was for all people even little children. Children may have been considered the lowest of their society, but not in Jesus’ eyes. If His disciples were wanting greatness in the kingdom of heaven, they would need to humble themselves as a little child. What did Jesus say should happen to those who cause a little child to sin?
2. In verse 10 what do we learn about the watch care of little children in heaven?
3. In that same context we learn that Jesus watches out for the person who goes astray. It is as if He is saying “I’m going to watch out for you just as earnestly as I watch out for these little ones.” Jesus will pursue bringing someone back to Him who has slipped into sin. How does He describe this?
4. In verses 7-9 Jesus told us that we would be tempted to sin in this world. He also knew that falling into that temptation could lead us to a downward spiral of darkness as temptation pulls a person farther and farther down. A person who in this life turns their back on God and takes the path that follows after the lusts of this world; they would have been better off to cut off their hand that caused the sin than for what to happen?
5. Jesus taught them how to deal with a brother (or sister) that sins against them. What is the first step one should take if someone has sinned against you? What is the second step?
6. It is obvious that Jesus does not want sin to keep us divided. He knew that we would be stronger in the faith when we are united as brothers and sisters in Christ. What or who is in the middle of two united brothers in Christ?
7. Peter asked Jesus just how many times someone should forgive a brother who has sinned against them. Peter threw out an arbitrary number of seven. Jesus also threw out an arbitrary number, but it was much higher than Peter expected. What is the number of times Jesus said we should forgive our brother?
8. Jesus then described the human way of settling accounts versus the way God looks at it by teaching another parable. How serious is God about those who do not forgive their brother?
Devotionals
