Matthew - Week 56

The Greatest 

READ 

Matthew 18:1 

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

This is an interesting question from the disciples. One could imagine many things about the Kingdom of Heaven, but few would wonder who will be the greatest in that kingdom. One wonders what was on their minds as they asked this question.  

REFLECT 

In all of your thinking about heaven, have you wondered who will be the greatest there? What comforts you most as you think about eternity? 

RESPOND 

This is one of those times when you should want to read further to see what Jesus would answer. Talk with a fellow believer about how to handle difficult questions when teaching others. As someone has said, “The only stupid question is an unasked question.” You never want to discourage a person from asking questions, however.  

Humble as a Child 

READ 

Matthew 18:2-4 

2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 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. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

This may not have been what the disciples expected when they asked Jesus who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus taught them with an object lesson. The disciples may have been showing pride by asking the question, but Jesus used a little child to tell them how humble one needed to be to be called the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

REFLECT 

Thank the Lord for all those working with children and teaching them the need to trust in Jesus for salvation. Often, if a person is not reached then, it becomes harder for that individual to trust in Jesus.  

RESPOND 

You and other believers need to pray for those in children’s ministry. Perhaps you are in such yourself. Think of the blessing of helping to change a life for eternity.  

A Large Millstone 

READ 

Matthew 18:5-6 

5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. 6 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.” 

This is a serious warning for those who harm children. God will execute severe judgment on anyone who causes a child to sin. The world today seems filled with sins against children, such as sex trafficking and child pornography. Someday God will severely judge those guilty of forcing children into such behavior. 

REFLECT 

Think how terrible the judgment will be against those who cause children to sin. 

RESPOND 

Pray and work with others about what can be done to lessen the sins against children. Is there something your local church can do? 

Tempters and Tempted 

READ 

Matthew 18:7-9 

 7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. 8 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 eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. 9 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.”  

This passage connects a member of the body with what is used in sinning. Jesus was not prescribing self-mutilation, however, because His teaching during His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) reveals sin begins in the heart, and cutting off a member of the body would not change the heart.  

REFLECT 

Think how important it is that people change their behavior if they are tempting others to sin.  

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer read and think about James 1:12-16. To “tempt” is to “test” and God never tests people to do evil. The devil tested Jesus as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11. The devil wanted Jesus to sin. Jesus was fully God as well as fully man so there was nothing in Him to cause Him to want to yield to the devil’s test.  

Guardian Angels 

READ 

Matthew 18:10 

10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” 

What a precious verse this is to parents. Especially to those parents who have lost children. It is comforting to know that their angels in heaven are in the presence of the heavenly Father. These must be those commonly called, “Guardian Angels.” 

REFLECT 

What questions do you have about the ministry angels have to children and to you? 

RESPOND 

Read some passages that tell of angels. Luke 16:22 tells of them carrying a believing beggar to heaven. Hebrews 1:6 indicates they are to worship Jesus. Hebrews 1:13-14 says angels are to care for those who inherit salvation.