Scripture:
Matthew 18:21-35 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Parable of the Unforgiving Slave
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how many times could my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" (A)
22 "I tell you, not as many as seven," Jesus said to him, "but 70 times seven. [a] 23 For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began to settle accounts, one who owed 10,000 talents [b] was brought before him. 25 Since he had no way to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. (B)
26 "At this, the slave fell facedown before him and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!' 27 Then the master of that slave had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan.
28 "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him 100 denarii. (C) [c] He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, 'Pay what you owe!'
29 "At this, his fellow slave fell down [d] and began begging him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he wasn't willing. On the contrary, he went and threw him into prison until he could pay what was owed. 31 When the other slaves saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened.
32 "Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you? (D) ' 34 And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers [e] until he could pay everything that was owed. 35 So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother [f] from his [g] heart." (E)
Footnotes:
Matthew 18:22 Or but 77 times
Matthew 18:24 A huge sum of money that could never be repaid by a slave; a talent = 6,000 denarii
Matthew 18:28 A small sum compared to 10,000 talents
Matthew 18:29 Other mss add at his feet
Matthew 18:34 Or torturers
Matthew 18:35 Other mss add his trespasses
Matthew 18:35 Lit your
Cross references:
Matthew 18:21 : Lk 17:3-4; Col 3:13;
Matthew 18:25 : Ex 21:2; Lv 25:39; 2Kg 4:1; Neh 5:5;, 8; Lk 7:42;
Matthew 18:28 : Mt 20:2; 22:19; Mk 6:37; 14:5; Lk 7:41; 10:35; Jn 6:7;
Matthew 18:33 : Mt 6:12; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13; 1Jn 4:11;
Matthew 18:35 : Pr 21:13; Mt 6:14; Jms 2:13;
Reflection:
How does mercy and justice go together? The prophet Amos speaks of God forgiving transgression three times, but warns that God may not revoke punishment for the fourth (see Amos 1:3-13; 2:1-6). When Peter posed the question of forgiveness, he characteristically offered an answer he thought Jesus would be pleased with. Why not forgive seven times! How unthinkable for Jesus to counter with the proposition that one must forgive seventy times that. Jesus made it clear that there is no reckonable limit to forgiveness. And he drove the lesson home with a parable about two very different kinds of debts. The first man owed an enormous sum of money -- millions in our currency. In Jesus' time this amount was greater than the total revenue of a province -- more than it would cost to ransom a king! The man who was forgiven such an incredible debt could not, however bring himself to forgive his neighbor a very small debt which was about one-hundred-thousandth of his own debt. The contrast could not have been greater! No offence our neighbor can do to us can compare with our debt to God! Let's read that again....No offence our neighbor can do to us can compare with our debt to God! We have been forgiven a debt which is beyond all paying; to ransom our debt of sin God gave up his only begotten Son. If God has forgiven each of us our debt, which was very great, we, too must forgive others the debt they owe us. Jesus teaches that one must forgive in order to be forgiven. If we do not forgive our fellow man we cannot expect God to forgive us. James says that judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy (James 2:13). Mercy is truly a gift and it is offered in such a way that justice is not negated. Mercy "seasons" justice as "salt" seasons meat and gives it flavor. Mercy follows justice and perfects it. To pardon the unrepentant is not mercy but license. C.S. Lewis wrote: "Mercy will flower only when it grows in the crannies of the rock of Justice: transplanted to the marshlands of mere Humanitarianism, it becomes a man-eating weed, all the more dangerous because it is still called by the same name as the mountain variety." If we want mercy shown to us we must be ready to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Do you hold any grudge or resentment towards anyone?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, you have been kind and forgiving towards me. May I be merciful as you are merciful. Free me from all bitterness and resentment that I may truly forgive from the heart those who have caused me injury or grief.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Daily Word - To The Christian; A Word Of Restoration - Matthew 18:15-20
Scripture:
Matthew 18:15-20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Restoring a Brother
15 "If your brother sins against you, [a] go and rebuke him in private. [b] If he listens to you, you have won your brother. (A) 16 But if he won't listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony [c] of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. (B) (C) 17 If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. (D) [d] But if he doesn't pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever [e] and a tax collector to you. (E) 18 I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound [f] in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed [g] in heaven. (F) 19 Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you [h] pray for, it will be done for you [i] by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them."
Footnotes:
Matthew 18:15 Other mss omit against you
Matthew 18:15 Lit him between you and him alone
Matthew 18:16 Lit mouth
Matthew 18:17 Or congregation
Matthew 18:17 Or like a Gentile
Matthew 18:18 Or earth will be bound
Matthew 18:18 Or earth will be loosed
Matthew 18:19 Lit they
Matthew 18:19 Lit for them
Cross references:
Matthew 18:15 : Lv 19:17; Lk 17:3; Gl 6:1; 2Th 3:15; Jms 5:19; 1Pt 3:1;
Matthew 18:16 : Num 35:30; Dt 19:15; Jn 8:17; 2Co 13:1; 1Tm 5:19; Heb 10:28;
Matthew 18:16 : Dt 19:15;
Matthew 18:17 : Mt 16:18; 1Co 14:4; Rv 1:4;
Matthew 18:17 : Rm 16:17; 1Co 5:9; 6:1-6; 2Th 3:6;, 14; 2Jn 10;
Matthew 18:18 : Mt 16:19; Jn 20:23;
Reflection:
What's the best way to repair a damaged relationship? Jesus offers his disciples spiritual freedom and power for restoring broken or injured relationships. Jesus makes clear that his followers should not tolerate a breach in relationships among themselves. Sin must be confronted and help must be offered to restore a damaged relationship. When relationships between brothers and sisters in the Lord are damaged, then we must spare no effort to help the brother or sister at fault to see their error and to get things right again.
Saint Augustine of Hippo comments on Jesus' instruction:
If someone has done you injury and you have suffered, what should be done? You have heard the answer already in today’s scripture: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” If you fail to do so, you are worse than he is. He has done someone harm, and by doing harm he has stricken himself with a grievous wound. Will you then completely disregard your brother’s wound? Will you simply watch him stumble and fall down? Will you disregard his predicament? If so, you are worse in your silence than he in his abuse. Therefore, when any one sins against us, let us take great care, but not merely for ourselves. For it is a glorious thing to forget injuries. Just set aside your own injury, but do not neglect your brother’s wound. Therefore “go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone,” intent upon his amendment but sparing his sense of shame. For it might happen that through defensiveness he will begin to justify his sin, and so you will have inadvertently nudged him still closer toward the very behavior you desire to amend. Therefore “tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother,” because he might have been lost, had you not spoken with him. [Sermon 82.7]What can we learn from this passage about how to mend a damaged relationship? If you feel you have been wronged by someone, Jesus says the first step is to speak directly but privately to the individual who has done the harm. One of the worst things we can do is brood over our grievance. This can poison the mind and heart and make it more difficult to go directly to the person who caused the damage. If we truly want to settle a difference between someone, we need to do it face to face. If this fails in its purpose, then the second step is to bring another person or persons, someone who is wise and gracious rather than someone who is hot-tempered or judgmental. The goal is not so much to put the offender on trial, but to persuade the offender to see the wrong and to be reconciled. And if this fails, then we must still not give up, but seek the help of the Christian community. Note the emphasis here is on restoring a broken relationship by seeking the help of other Christians who hopefully will pray and seek a solution for reconciliation based on Christian love and wisdom, rather than relying on coercive force or threat of legal action, such as a lawsuit.
Lastly, if even the Christian community fails to bring about reconciliation, what must we do? Jesus seems to say that we have the right to abandon stubborn and obdurate offenders and treat them like social outcasts. The tax-collectors and Gentiles were regarded as "unclean" by the religious-minded Jews. However we know from the gospel accounts that Jesus often had fellowship with tax-collectors, ate with them, and even praised them at times! Jesus refuses no one who is ready to receive pardon, healing, and restoration. The call to accountability is inevitable and we can't escape it, both in this life and at the day of judgment when the Lord Jesus will return. But while we have the opportunity, we must not give up on stubborn offenders, but, instead make every effort to win them with the grace and power of God's healing love and wisdom. Do you tolerate broken relationships or do you seek to repair them as God gives you the opportunity to mend and restore what is broken?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, make me an instrument of your healing love and peace. Give me wisdom and courage to bring your healing love and saving truth to those in need of healing and restoration.
Matthew 18:15-20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Restoring a Brother
15 "If your brother sins against you, [a] go and rebuke him in private. [b] If he listens to you, you have won your brother. (A) 16 But if he won't listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony [c] of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. (B) (C) 17 If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. (D) [d] But if he doesn't pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever [e] and a tax collector to you. (E) 18 I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound [f] in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed [g] in heaven. (F) 19 Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you [h] pray for, it will be done for you [i] by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them."
Footnotes:
Matthew 18:15 Other mss omit against you
Matthew 18:15 Lit him between you and him alone
Matthew 18:16 Lit mouth
Matthew 18:17 Or congregation
Matthew 18:17 Or like a Gentile
Matthew 18:18 Or earth will be bound
Matthew 18:18 Or earth will be loosed
Matthew 18:19 Lit they
Matthew 18:19 Lit for them
Cross references:
Matthew 18:15 : Lv 19:17; Lk 17:3; Gl 6:1; 2Th 3:15; Jms 5:19; 1Pt 3:1;
Matthew 18:16 : Num 35:30; Dt 19:15; Jn 8:17; 2Co 13:1; 1Tm 5:19; Heb 10:28;
Matthew 18:16 : Dt 19:15;
Matthew 18:17 : Mt 16:18; 1Co 14:4; Rv 1:4;
Matthew 18:17 : Rm 16:17; 1Co 5:9; 6:1-6; 2Th 3:6;, 14; 2Jn 10;
Matthew 18:18 : Mt 16:19; Jn 20:23;
Reflection:
What's the best way to repair a damaged relationship? Jesus offers his disciples spiritual freedom and power for restoring broken or injured relationships. Jesus makes clear that his followers should not tolerate a breach in relationships among themselves. Sin must be confronted and help must be offered to restore a damaged relationship. When relationships between brothers and sisters in the Lord are damaged, then we must spare no effort to help the brother or sister at fault to see their error and to get things right again.
Saint Augustine of Hippo comments on Jesus' instruction:
If someone has done you injury and you have suffered, what should be done? You have heard the answer already in today’s scripture: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” If you fail to do so, you are worse than he is. He has done someone harm, and by doing harm he has stricken himself with a grievous wound. Will you then completely disregard your brother’s wound? Will you simply watch him stumble and fall down? Will you disregard his predicament? If so, you are worse in your silence than he in his abuse. Therefore, when any one sins against us, let us take great care, but not merely for ourselves. For it is a glorious thing to forget injuries. Just set aside your own injury, but do not neglect your brother’s wound. Therefore “go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone,” intent upon his amendment but sparing his sense of shame. For it might happen that through defensiveness he will begin to justify his sin, and so you will have inadvertently nudged him still closer toward the very behavior you desire to amend. Therefore “tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother,” because he might have been lost, had you not spoken with him. [Sermon 82.7]What can we learn from this passage about how to mend a damaged relationship? If you feel you have been wronged by someone, Jesus says the first step is to speak directly but privately to the individual who has done the harm. One of the worst things we can do is brood over our grievance. This can poison the mind and heart and make it more difficult to go directly to the person who caused the damage. If we truly want to settle a difference between someone, we need to do it face to face. If this fails in its purpose, then the second step is to bring another person or persons, someone who is wise and gracious rather than someone who is hot-tempered or judgmental. The goal is not so much to put the offender on trial, but to persuade the offender to see the wrong and to be reconciled. And if this fails, then we must still not give up, but seek the help of the Christian community. Note the emphasis here is on restoring a broken relationship by seeking the help of other Christians who hopefully will pray and seek a solution for reconciliation based on Christian love and wisdom, rather than relying on coercive force or threat of legal action, such as a lawsuit.
Lastly, if even the Christian community fails to bring about reconciliation, what must we do? Jesus seems to say that we have the right to abandon stubborn and obdurate offenders and treat them like social outcasts. The tax-collectors and Gentiles were regarded as "unclean" by the religious-minded Jews. However we know from the gospel accounts that Jesus often had fellowship with tax-collectors, ate with them, and even praised them at times! Jesus refuses no one who is ready to receive pardon, healing, and restoration. The call to accountability is inevitable and we can't escape it, both in this life and at the day of judgment when the Lord Jesus will return. But while we have the opportunity, we must not give up on stubborn offenders, but, instead make every effort to win them with the grace and power of God's healing love and wisdom. Do you tolerate broken relationships or do you seek to repair them as God gives you the opportunity to mend and restore what is broken?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, make me an instrument of your healing love and peace. Give me wisdom and courage to bring your healing love and saving truth to those in need of healing and restoration.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Daily Word - Become Like Children - Matthew 18:1-14
Scripture:
Matthew 18:1-14 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Who Is the Greatest?
Matthew 18
1 At that time (A) [a] the disciples (B) came to Jesus and said, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (C)
2 Then He called a child to Him and had him stand among them. 3 " I assure you," He said, "unless you are converted [b] and become like children, (D) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (E) 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes [c] one child like this in My name welcomes Me.
6 "But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone [d] were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea! (F) 7 Woe to the world because of offenses. [e] For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes. (G) 8 If your hand or your foot causes your downfall, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. (H) 9 And if your eye causes your downfall, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, rather than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire! (I) [f]
The Parable of the Lost Sheep 10 "See that you don't look down on one of these little ones, (J) because I tell you that in heaven their angels (K) continually view the face of My Father in heaven. (L) [ 11 For the Son of Man (M) has come to save the lost.] [g] 12 What do you think? (N) If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, won't he leave the 99 on the hillside and go and search for the stray? (O) 13 And if he finds it, I assure you: He rejoices over that sheep [h] more than over the 99 that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.
Footnotes:
Matthew 18:1 Lit hour
Matthew 18:3 Or are turned around
Matthew 18:5 Or receives
Matthew 18:6 A millstone turned by a donkey
Matthew 18:7 Or causes of stumbling
Matthew 18:9 Lit gehenna of fire
Matthew 18:11 Other mss omit bracketed text
Matthew 18:13 Lit over it
Cross references:
Matthew 18:1 : Mk 9:33-37; Lk 9:46-48;
Matthew 18:1 : Mt 9:10; Mk 10:10; Lk 6:1; Jn 6:3; Ac 6:1;
Matthew 18:1 : Mt 22:24; Jn 3:35; 13:20;
Matthew 18:3 : Mt 19:14; Mk 10:15; Lk 18:17; 1Co 14:20; 1Pt 2:2;
Matthew 18:3 : Mt 5:20; 7:21; 19:23-24; Mk 9:47; Jn 3:5;
Matthew 18:6 : Mk 9:42; Lk 17:2; 1Co 8:12;
Matthew 18:7 : Mt 26:24; Lk 17:1; 1Co 11:19;
Matthew 18:8 : Mt 5:30; 25:41; Mk 9:43;
Matthew 18:9 : Mt 5:22;, 29; Mk 9:47;
Matthew 18:10 : Est 1:14; Lk 1:19; Rv 8:2;
Matthew 18:10 : Ps 34:7; 91:11; Heb 1:14;
Matthew 18:10 : Mt 6:29; 25:40, 45; Lk 15:7, 10;
Matthew 18:11 : Mk 2:10; Jn 2:25;
Matthew 18:12 : Lk 15:1-7;
Matthew 18:12 : Mt 17:25; 21:28;
Reflection:
Are you surprised to see the disciples discussing with Jesus who is the greatest? Don't we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be "somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart— who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child.
Jesus addressed an issue common to the wisdom literature -- pride and its subsequent fall. A man's pride brings him low, but he who is lowly is spirit will obtain honor (Proverbs 29:23). Jesus also warned about the necessity of temptation. The scriptural word for temptation is often translated as testing. God tests the heart, both to expose what is hurtful and to strengthen what is good. Jesus used the example of a child to show his disciples how they are to deal with pride and temptation. We must live in simplicity of heart and in humble reliance upon God. Jesus sets before his disciples the one goal in life that is worth any sacrifice and that goal is the will of God which leads to everlasting life. Just as a doctor might remove a limb or some part of the body in order to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part anything that causes us to sin and which leads to spiritual death. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is exactly the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he in turn may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the bad example of those who should be passing on the faith. Do you set a good example for others to follow, especially the young?
What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, teach me your way of humility and simplicity of heart that I may find perfect joy in you. May your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you.
Matthew 18:1-14 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Who Is the Greatest?
Matthew 18
1 At that time (A) [a] the disciples (B) came to Jesus and said, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (C)
2 Then He called a child to Him and had him stand among them. 3 " I assure you," He said, "unless you are converted [b] and become like children, (D) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (E) 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes [c] one child like this in My name welcomes Me.
6 "But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone [d] were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea! (F) 7 Woe to the world because of offenses. [e] For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes. (G) 8 If your hand or your foot causes your downfall, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. (H) 9 And if your eye causes your downfall, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, rather than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire! (I) [f]
The Parable of the Lost Sheep 10 "See that you don't look down on one of these little ones, (J) because I tell you that in heaven their angels (K) continually view the face of My Father in heaven. (L) [ 11 For the Son of Man (M) has come to save the lost.] [g] 12 What do you think? (N) If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, won't he leave the 99 on the hillside and go and search for the stray? (O) 13 And if he finds it, I assure you: He rejoices over that sheep [h] more than over the 99 that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.
Footnotes:
Matthew 18:1 Lit hour
Matthew 18:3 Or are turned around
Matthew 18:5 Or receives
Matthew 18:6 A millstone turned by a donkey
Matthew 18:7 Or causes of stumbling
Matthew 18:9 Lit gehenna of fire
Matthew 18:11 Other mss omit bracketed text
Matthew 18:13 Lit over it
Cross references:
Matthew 18:1 : Mk 9:33-37; Lk 9:46-48;
Matthew 18:1 : Mt 9:10; Mk 10:10; Lk 6:1; Jn 6:3; Ac 6:1;
Matthew 18:1 : Mt 22:24; Jn 3:35; 13:20;
Matthew 18:3 : Mt 19:14; Mk 10:15; Lk 18:17; 1Co 14:20; 1Pt 2:2;
Matthew 18:3 : Mt 5:20; 7:21; 19:23-24; Mk 9:47; Jn 3:5;
Matthew 18:6 : Mk 9:42; Lk 17:2; 1Co 8:12;
Matthew 18:7 : Mt 26:24; Lk 17:1; 1Co 11:19;
Matthew 18:8 : Mt 5:30; 25:41; Mk 9:43;
Matthew 18:9 : Mt 5:22;, 29; Mk 9:47;
Matthew 18:10 : Est 1:14; Lk 1:19; Rv 8:2;
Matthew 18:10 : Ps 34:7; 91:11; Heb 1:14;
Matthew 18:10 : Mt 6:29; 25:40, 45; Lk 15:7, 10;
Matthew 18:11 : Mk 2:10; Jn 2:25;
Matthew 18:12 : Lk 15:1-7;
Matthew 18:12 : Mt 17:25; 21:28;
Reflection:
Are you surprised to see the disciples discussing with Jesus who is the greatest? Don't we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be "somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart— who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child.
Jesus addressed an issue common to the wisdom literature -- pride and its subsequent fall. A man's pride brings him low, but he who is lowly is spirit will obtain honor (Proverbs 29:23). Jesus also warned about the necessity of temptation. The scriptural word for temptation is often translated as testing. God tests the heart, both to expose what is hurtful and to strengthen what is good. Jesus used the example of a child to show his disciples how they are to deal with pride and temptation. We must live in simplicity of heart and in humble reliance upon God. Jesus sets before his disciples the one goal in life that is worth any sacrifice and that goal is the will of God which leads to everlasting life. Just as a doctor might remove a limb or some part of the body in order to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part anything that causes us to sin and which leads to spiritual death. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is exactly the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he in turn may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the bad example of those who should be passing on the faith. Do you set a good example for others to follow, especially the young?
What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord, teach me your way of humility and simplicity of heart that I may find perfect joy in you. May your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)