Today's passage redefines greatness, challenges our ability to put away our sinful selves, exhorts us to care for children and all who are called to be child-like, and encourages us to seek out those who are lost. Jesus gives us insight into God's infallible perspective on all these things. To even begin to undertake this, we need the restorative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives--none of this aligns with basic human reasoning. May the word of God convict you, and build you up.
Matthew 18:1-14
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man came to save the lost. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What were the disciples seeking in their initial question, and how did Jesus respond? [v1-4]
+ How did Jesus demonstrate He fulfilled the definition of greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [v4; see also Matthew 1:21-23 and Philippians 2:5-11]
+ How does Jesus demonstrate the importance of children, and children of God, in v5-6 and v10?
+ What does v6 say to those who bring temptation?
+ Read Galatians 5:24. How does that verse help us view verses 8-9 as it applies to us as individuals?
+ We also know the church is the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). How can we view verses 8-9 through that perspective?
+ How did Jesus fulfill the role of the shepherd described in v12-13?
+ What insight does Jesus share of God's will in v14?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have you tempted anyone or caused them to sin? What steps do you need to take now in response to this?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ How are you participating in God's mission to seek out those who are lost?