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Scripture reading – Matthew 18
The Spiritual Character of Believers: Greatness Defined (Matthew 18:1-4)
Matthew 18 marks a shift in the focus of Christ’s ministry. For three years, He focused on the great multitudes that followed His ministry and miracles throughout Judaea and Galilee. With only six months to the Cross, the LORD prepared His disciples for the significant events before Him. Though He had spoken plainly of His betrayal, death, and resurrection (Matthew 17:22-23), the disciples evidenced they were mere men. Falling prey to petty rivalries and jealousy, they came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1)
The LORD answered their question with a simple and powerful illustration. Taking a small child to Himself, Jesus taught the disciples that a child is a portrait of greatness clothed in humility (Matthew 18:3).
The central truth: The citizens of Christ’s kingdom will be defined not by greatness but by humility (Matthew 18:4).
God’s Love, Care, and Compassion for His Children (Matthew 18:5-14)
In a world scarred by child abuse and sex trafficking, we have recorded in today’s Scripture a warning from the LORD to all who harm or lead astray the youthful and naive. Remember the small child Jesus used as an illustration of humility? He now turned His focus to His spiritual children and warned, “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).
Admonition: God will protect His children. (Matthew 18:6-7)
The LORD is jealous of the welfare of His people. Yet some, under the guise of “Christian liberty,” lead believers to sin. Jesus warned that when a person mistreats or entices a believer to sin, they invite God’s judgment. In other words, if you become a stumbling block to a child of God, it would be better had you never been born! (Matthew 18:7)
Exhortation: Sever Your Sinful Ways (Matthew 18:8-9)
Continuing to teach His disciples and speaking figuratively, Jesus warned it would be better to go through life maimed (to cut off one’s hand or foot or pluck out one’s eye) than lead a believer astray and down a path of sin (Matthew 18:8-9). In a practical sense, it would be better to live a life of self-sacrifice, deny your flesh the pleasures of sin, and your eyes the lust of the flesh, than be “cast into everlasting fire…[or] having two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (Matthew 18:8-9).
Compassionate Love (Matthew 18:10-14)
God’s love for His people is evidenced in His loving care. Unlike the Pharisees, who were guilty of abusing their role among the people, Jesus cautioned His disciples, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones” (Matthew 18:10a). What followed that statement was a powerful lesson in God’s love, grace, and mercy.
Four qualities of love are evidenced in God’s love for His people.
First, God’s love is proactive. Therefore, the LORD commanded, “despise not one of these little ones” (Matthew18:10a). The implication is we are not to dishonor, put down, resent, or think ourselves better than another. After all, every soul is precious in the sight of God.
Secondly, God’s love is protective. Christ taught that “In heaven their [God’s children’s] angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10b). Ponder that marvelous thought–there are angels stationed near God’s throne that wait for Him to dispatch them to aid and protect His people (that is not to suggest that every believer has a dedicated, guardian angel).
God’s love is also personal, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11). The LORD loves His people like a shepherd knows and loves His sheep. For “if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?” (Matthew 18:12) Like a good shepherd, Jesus came “to save that which was lost” (18:11).
Finally, the love of God is perpetual, everlasting, and enduring. It is the will of God the Father that not “one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14).
Closing thoughts –
You and I might be a disappointment and even a failure in the eyes of others, yet God loves us with the same compassion a shepherd loves and nurtures his sheep. God’s love for you is proactive, protective, personal, and perpetual.
After all, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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