Today’s Reading: Matthew 18:1-14

About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. – Matthew 18:1-5

UNLESS YOU TURN FROM YOUR SINS.

The disciples asked a great question, but I am guessing that they were not expecting the answer Jesus gave them. The greatest is the humblest. The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is the one who humbly turns from their sinful past in order to receive the future God has planned for them. And when we welcome the one who has a messy past, recognizing that God has a beautiful future for them, we are representing well the One who died for their salvation. We are humbly acknowledging that we also have a sinful past; we, too, are sinners in need of a Savior.

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. – Matthew 18:6

So if the greatest in God’s Kingdom is the one who humbly repents of their sin, and Jesus is calling us to welcome them on his behalf, consider this contrasting statement. Jesus gave a strong warning to never be the one who causes someone to walk away from Jesus and into a life of sin. We are to help them find their way toward salvation without pushing them away from all God has for them; we are to welcome the one who has turned from their sin.

But when we encourage a new believer to remain in their sin, or when we redefine sin in order for them to feel affirmed in their rejection of the righteousness to which God is calling all of us, it would be better for us to die than to live. Jesus died to set them free from their sin, not to live in bondage to it. And we must be careful that we are not doing anything to keep them enslaved to their sin by rejecting them from entering the fellowship of believers. If we fail to welcome the “little child” who is seeking salvation, we are failing to welcome Jesus into our midst.

IT’S BETTER TO THROW IT AWAY.

“What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into the eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.” – Matthew 18:7-10

Precious Father, may our hands and feet be your instruments today. May we be expressions of your love to those around us; may we be the voice of truth to one another. May we never become so arrogant that we believe we have the right to reinterpret your words in order to widen the way to salvation. Show us how to extend your grace while honoring your truth, fully aware of our need for salvation and helping others find their way to repentance. May our faith help others to find you, and may we never do anything that would cause someone else to stumble in their journey towards you. Amen.

Jesus went on to ask a question that reveals his love for the lost. When the one wanders away from the shepherd, the man does not leave that one stumbling in the dark. He also doesn’t take the whole flock with him or encourage them to also wander away. No, he goes in search of the one in order to bring it back to the fold. The shepherd celebrates that the lost one has been found and is therefore no longer lost.

GO OUT AND SEARCH FOR THE ONE WHO IS LOST.

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” – Matthew 18:12-14

My heart is grateful this morning that I serve the Great Shepherd — the One who cares enough when I am lost to pursue my heart in order to bring me back to the fold. Lord, I praise you for loving me enough to provide for my salvation on the cross. Forgive me for the moments in which I have lacked the compassion and the humility to care about the lost. I want my heart to reflect the desires of your heart, responding with both grace and truth to others. Guide my thoughts and give me a fresh infilling of your Spirit so that I can welcome the “little children” to the family of God! Amen.