The Greatest
Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
The disciples were arguing and competing to be the greatest disciple in God's kingdom. They wanted Jesus to pick a favorite, would it be John? He spoke of himself as the disciple who Jesus loved.
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Would it Peter, who was the first to have the revelation from the Father that Jesus is Lord?
Peter, later was told to feed the sheep of Jesus, and that he would be crucified. He wondered then if John was favored above him.
John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
John 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
Was John the greatest? Let's hear what Jesus said to them.
Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Unless you turn from your ways, and become as little children, ye shall not even enter the kingdom of heaven. They were acting like the scribes and Pharisees, full of themselves.
Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Be humble, simple, innocent, trusting, sincere and without offense, as a child. Not full of envy and strife, not critical and ready to condemn, but as Jesus, as a child, tender hearted and gentle, willing to be molded into the Lord's image. These are they who inherit the kingdom of heaven; those trusting in Jesus as Lord and savior and not in themselves.
Love the Children
Mat 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
The Lord values these little children so much that he identifies with them. Have you ever wondered why satan comes against innocent little children? It is because the Lord dwells with them, they are humble and innocent, such is the Lord's Spirit. Satan hates all good things of the Lord. These innocents are helpless, needing the guidance of a loving adult. The Lord has placed children under the care of loving parents, this was his plan from the beginning. Woe to those who care not for God's children.
Mat 18:6 But 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.
Children are quick to believe in God. All who trust in the Lord Jesus are God's children. They are under attack by satan, sometimes appearing as a trusted friend or a teacher of the Bible. Some of these are not of the Lord, but are filled with evil spirits, wolves in sheep's clothing.
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
The Lord spoke harsh words for those who harm one of His children; it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Love God's children, from the babies to the newborn in God's kingdom. Protect them from harm and feed them good food of God's word. For you are now the caretakers of God's kingdom people. You are the sisters and brothers of God's children. You are as spiritual; mothers and fathers. The Bible overwhelmingly speaks of one Father above all, our heavenly Father, the LORD GOD who loves us and cares for us. If anyone harms one of his little ones, they must answer to Him.
Offenses
Mat 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
An offense is an occasion to fall, a stumbling block. In a physical way, it would be causing another physical harm. In a moral way, it could be to lure someone into a sin. In a spiritual way, it would be to take away another from following God. This is the worst offense of all, to lead someone away from the grace that is in Jesus.
1 John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1 John 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1 John 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Many false ones cause people to fall. The Pharisees, following traditions, caused people to fall away from God, rejecting Jesus. Churches serving traditions rather than God's word keep people from salvation. They have offended the little ones.
Mat 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
It will be more and more this way before the Lord returns.
2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
We are safe in God's hand. Those who have come to God through faith in Jesus shall stay close to God.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
If people are offended in Jesus, it is to their destruction. If someone leads another away from Christ, they shall face God's judgment. We who obey God, through our Lord Jesus Christ shall never come into condemnation of the Father, we are loved and secure forever. Thank you Father for your promise of everlasting life.
Take Heed
Mat 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
These are offenses of the flesh. The things our hands find to do, the way that our feet walk. We are not to go in the way of idolatry, serving another spirit, even the spirit of the world.
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Eyes filled with lust and adultery.
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
The children are precious to our Lord and his kingdom children have angels to protect them and to report to God.
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
Luke 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
Take heed you do not despise one of these little ones that our Father loves. For he takes it personally.
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
When we sin, we sin against God.
Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
He came for you
Mat 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
A beautiful verse of God's love for us. For we were once lost, but now we are found by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
Luke 9:52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
Luke 9:53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luke 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Jesus has purchased us from satan, with his blood
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Jesus is as the mercy seat, the place where God received a sacrifice, atonement for sins and he was the sacrifice, a blood offering without spot or blemish, perfect and sinless for the removal of our sins.
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Father God, the King and supreme judge, declares us not guilty of sins or evil, through faith in his son, Jesus the Christ, the savior of those who come to him.
Jesus came for you, will you give him all your heart?
Lost sheep
Mat 18:12 How think ye? 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?
Mat 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Psa 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Woe to those who cause the LORD's sheep to go astray. Satan comes against the separated sheep, accusing and destroying them.
Jer 50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
Jer 50:7 All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Jesus came to find you. Do you see how important just one of his sheep is to him? You are his sheep belonging in his flock which is the church body, the family of God.
1 Cor 12:25 That there should be no schism (no divisions) in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1 Cor 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1 Cor 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Let us love one another and keep the body whole. If one separates we should bring him or her back to the protection of God's family. Satan seeks to separate, steal, kill and destroy. But, our Father keeps us in His hand; no man can take us from His hand.
Settling offenses
Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Jesus gives us important advice in handling offenses. There are up to three steps; often people go to the last step first. We should do as Jesus says. If a brother offends, go to him first, do not gossip and tell everyone about his offense. If he will hear you, you have gained a brother.
Prov 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
Prov 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Prov 6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
Prov 6:13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
Prov 6:14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
Prov 6:15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
In two or three witnesses a thing is established. If the person does not hear us, then we go with two or three witnesses. If the offender ignores all, then he has a hardened heart.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.
If the person has sinned publicly and will not repent in private, then the church should be told. If he ignores the church, he is not of God's people and should be removed. Too often people openly live in sin and no one goes to them.
1 Cor 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1 Cor 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Cor 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
If he continues in sinful disobedience, then allow satan to deal with him. If he looses his life, God is judge as to his final fate, perhaps his Spirit still is in Christ Jesus. Do not tempt God and be foolish.
Bind and Loose
Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
This was in reference to Church discipline of someone by the church body. Binding is to tie or restrain, to fasten in chains, to be restricted.
2 Tim 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
To loose is to untie a restraint.
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
In a Spiritual application, it is to bind the devil so that the soul of a person may be freed of him. Isaiah said it well in prophesying of Jesus:
Isa 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
This is a great promise; two or more agreeing in God's Spirit will move the hand of God. Unbelief in the room may block the moving of God's Spirit.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Without Jesus, we can do nothing but fail.
Forgiving
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
We must forgive because Jesus forgave us. But do we really forgive completely? When our trust was broken, can we forgive and trust again? Or do we punish the person, forgiving, but distancing ourselves from him? Our heart must be right with God. Anger, envy, personal hurts, , vengeance, pride, these are works of the flesh.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
We must search our hearts and seek forgiveness for offenses. If forgiveness is refused, then let God deal with the person's heart.
Forgive, for you have been forgiven
Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
This is a parable with a spiritual meaning. When a man sins against God, there is a debt to be paid. His wife and children will also suffer because of his sin.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
The man fell down and worshipped the Lord, pleading to him for mercy. Our father is a merciful father. Moses also bowed before the presence of God on My. Sinai.
Exo 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Exo 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Exo 34:8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
The man was forgiven his debt because our God is merciful. We are forgiven through faith in Jesus; his blood covers us. We have done nothing to be treated so special, we humbly received because he loves us.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Why was this man who was forgiven much, so unforgiving to a brother? One commentator said it was because he could not receive, he thought he must earn God's favor. So, he desperately tried to earn to pay back what was forgiven. He became a tormentor of others, to receive from them to pay a debt that was already paid. He placed himself and others again under the law of sin and death.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
The other servants, those who served God reported this man who acted as if he were not forgiven, requiring payment from another, with no mercy.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Do you not understand you were forgiven? The Mormons, as one example, teach that they must be their own atonement; they are acting as if Jesus did not forgive them. They keep others in bondage with this false idea. If you are a Mormon Jesus is your atonement, you are free in him.
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
You want to be under bondage to the law? So be it. You will have to try to pay your debt, beginning with repentance and restitution; you have no way to pay for your own debt, without the King's forgiveness.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Who, me? We must show the character of our Lord, forgiving others who have offended us, just as we have been forgiven so much. We know who is the true forgiver and we lead others to the saving grace and mercy through faith in Jesus. Thank you our mighty king for your love and forgiveness, we want your heart. Amen
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