Imagine being a disciple, constantly debating who among you is the greatest. Jesus turns everything upside down by bringing a child into the mix, illustrating that true greatness lies in humility and compassion.
The Reading: Matthew 18
World English Bible1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
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2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them,
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3 and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
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4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,
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6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.
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7 “Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes!
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8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.
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9 If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.
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10 See that you don’t 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.
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11 For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.
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12 “What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?
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13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
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14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
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15 “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.
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16 But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
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17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.
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18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.
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19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.
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20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
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21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”
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22 Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
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23 Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.
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24 When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
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25 But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
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26 The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’
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27 The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
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28 “But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
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29 “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’
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30 He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.
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31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told their lord all that was done.
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32 Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me.
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33 Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’
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34 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him.
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35 So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
In Matthew 18, the disciples are curious about who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus surprises them by bringing a little child, saying that one must become like children - innocent, humble, and trusting - to enter the Kingdom. He emphasizes that those who welcome children in His name are welcoming Him, but warns against causing them to stumble. The severity of leading a little one astray is illustrated with a shocking metaphor about millstones and the sea.
The Call to Forgiveness
Jesus then addresses the issue of sin and forgiveness among friends. If someone wrongs you, the first step is to confront them privately. If they listen, you've gained a friend back. If not, bring a couple of others along for support, and if they still refuse, the matter can be escalated to the community. Jesus reassures that when two or three gather in His name, He's right there with them.
The Power of Forgiveness
Peter, trying to figure out just how forgiving he should be, asks Jesus if forgiving a brother seven times is enough. Jesus counters with a staggering 'seventy times seven,' implying that forgiveness should be abundant and limitless. He then tells a parable about a king who forgives a servant a massive debt, only to have that servant turn around and refuse to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. The moral of the story is clear: if we have been forgiven much, we should also forgive others.
Why It Matters
Embrace Childlike Humility
Jesus teaches us that greatness in God's Kingdom isn't about power or status but about humility and a childlike heart. This stands as a reminder in our hustle-driven lives that simplicity and vulnerability can lead us closer to God.
The Weight of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a recurring theme in this chapter, reminding us to extend grace as we have received it. It's not just about saying 'I forgive you' - it's about carrying that spirit of forgiveness in our hearts, even when it feels tough.
Seeking the Lost
The parable of the lost sheep emphasizes the joy and importance of reaching out to those who have strayed. Just as the shepherd searches for the lost, we are called to be intentional in our relationships and reach out to those who are distant or hurting. If you're looking for a community to help you grow in faith and practice these teachings, find a church near you and connect with others on this journey.
![Belem, Lisbon, Portugal DESCRIPTION The Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Portuguese pronunciation: [muʃˈtɐjɾu ðuʃ ʒɨˈɾɔnimuʃ]), is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tagus river in the parish of Belém, in the Lisbon Municipality, Portugal.](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/sancta-91eb1.firebasestorage.app/o/blog-images%2Fscripture%2F90610364.webp?alt=media&token=2a64174b-dc18-448b-92f4-cce1f042c9a7)
Coming Up Next: Matthew 19
In the next part of our journey through Matthew, we will dive into Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce. Prepare to explore the profound meaning behind commitment and relationships.