Season 4 Podcast 148 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 18:1-14, Pt I, “That Which is Lost.”

Season 4 Podcast 148 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 18:1-14, Pt I, “That Which is Lost.”The disciples, who from the beginning have been taught about the Kingdom of Heaven, ask Christ a very human question. 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?Perhaps the Savior wondered if they had even listened to the Sermon on the Mount,1.     Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.2.     Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.3.     Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.4.     Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall cee God.5.     Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.6.     Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.It is clear that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are not measured as are the greatest on earth: kings, queens, captains of industry, the rich and powerful, the talented and famous, the movers and shakers. The greatest in the kingdom of heaven are the humble, meek, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and those who endure persecution for the sake of Christ.Perhaps Christ is disappointed because he knows his time is short, and from the beginning he has been preparing his disciples to carry on the work after his death; and here they appear to be jostling for superiority. His answer, as usual, is shockingly brilliant, and turns their thoughts away from earthly standards of judgment. One can assume that the twelve apostles had been feeling pretty special having been called and set apart by Christ himself for such a high position. The Lord reminds them that they are servants and have no greater claim to the kingdom of heaven than a small child. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 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. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.What Christ says to the twelve apostles is true for all of us.5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.It is difficult to find a greater lesson in humility.  But Christ then places a tremendous responsibility upon those who preach the gospel of Christ. 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.The millstone you saw as you opened the podcast is from a photo I took at Cades Cove in East Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains, a small 19th century village settled by the Europeans in 1818.  Some millstones weigh 2000 pounds. At the time of Christ, millstones weighed over 3000 pounds.  If you can imagine it hanging around your neck and being cast into the sea, you will get some idea of the seriousness of the Savior’s image. When we think of little ones we naturally think of small children, but the context suggests Christ’s definition of little ones expands from the very young to the very old. It could refer not just to children but also to all those who are innocent; for example, to anyone who is just learning right from wrong, good from evil, truth from error. It could refer to those who have just come to Christ at whatever age and are seeking to be taught the truth of the gospel. Imagine someone who hangs on to your every word.