An object lesson and a word problem from Jesus...Matthew 18:1-14

Yes, still doing this.  I was invited to pray at a suicide prevention awareness walk in Winter Park last Saturday.  I even had some police backup!  Actually the officer who spoke before the prayer was excellent in sharing his faith and how it effects his duties as a public servant.  Much prayer and more prayer is needed for our communities as we care for those around us who might be hurting.  I prayed for us to create those spaces and support groups to feed our emotional, mental, physical and spiritual tanks.  

We moved into a new chapter of our study of the Gospel of Matthew.  This was sermon #65 and chapter 18 is also the 4th of 5 discourses (major teachings) of Jesus that we find in this book.  In chapter 18 Jesus will teach His disciples where to put their eyes; how to respond to violations to His words; and the extent of our love for others.  

The object lesson was inviting a little child (probably toddler age) into the midst of the ring of 12 disciples and the word problem which involved some simple math and the obvious answer.  The little child helped the disciples to see that they were focused on the wrong thing.  They were disputing among themselves of who was the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in the kingdom of heaven.  The obvious answer is Jesus but like who after Him?  It was a practice of pride to create this pecking order.  Jesus points to the humility of the child who came to Him in simple obedience.  The greatest would be those who come to Him and "become as" (a process) little children dependent on Him as they are to their parents.  We need to be converted and become as children.  The disciples were looking in the wrong direction.  They were looking as the world sees.  

The word problem involved subtracting 99 from 100 and the obvious response of the shepherd to secure the 99 to look for the lost 1.  Those who are in the flock of God, those little ones who believe in Him (v.6) will not be lost.  "If", a big word in this passage, indicates that there are those who are of the flock and those who are not.  Only the Father knows this.  Our commands by Jesus as His disciples is not to entice others to sin or to despise those who are in Christ.  We are to encourage others to righteousness with our example and also to deploy to retrieve those of the flock who have wandered away.  

In the midst of these two teaching examples is some of Jesus' strongest words about sin.  He uses hyperbole to get His point across.  We need to take action steps to stay pure and also to correct sin when it happens.  We don't literally cut off our hand or foot or pluck out our eye but we take drastic steps given by Him to guard ourselves in a world of sin.  I think of the little song we sang as kids in Sunday School.  "Oh be careful little hands what you touch...feet where you go...eyes what you see...for the Father up above is looking down in love..."  The instruction is given and also the warning.  God's warnings are given out of love so that we would obey Him and experience His perfect will for our lives.  This also protects and provides for the little ones that are around us.  

I feel this is all a set up for Matthew 18:15-20.  A sheep has wandered from the flock.  The word "if" will come into play on how they respond to the Shepherd's words.  Will they respond with repentance, a turning back, to the Shepherd or will they reject?  This will reveal which flock they are really a part of.  A lot of "r's" there.

Adam