Humility, submission to needs of others, living ‘in the Name,’ being an agent of restoration, a remover of obstacles. Matthew 18 has examples of us thinking less of ourselves and giving preference to others.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.1
Jesus isn’t elevating children but rather that the humility as a little child, not seeing oneself greater than others, is essential. The question by the disciples speaks of a desire to put oneself first and such a desire denies the possibility of serving others as self is priority. When parents are bringing children to Jesus for blessing, the disciples have other priorities, want more of Jesus’s time and attention, have more important things than others.2 Jesus then teaches what is ‘better’ than maintaining flaws in ourselves while denying others restoration.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 3
How often could we hinder others in our own pursuit of greater-ness? Does self-preoccupation blind us to seeing the value of all others, make us the priority for all in the kingdom of God except living in His will to serve others? Jesus teaches in Luke 17 that those who become obstacles for others being restored to God are greatly in need of repentance.4 In pursuing this teaching, He then gives one of those familiar parables, The Lost Sheep:
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? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.5
Jesus is seeking to change the disciples ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality—those wandering are important to God. All effort is to be expended to draw all closer rather than be content with just ‘we’ near Him. But wait—Jesus has a more difficult expectation for us ‘laying down’ our lives—our peace and discomfort should not keep us from seeking resolution and restoration for those who have sinned. Yes, resolution and forgiveness even when it is not our fault!
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.6
Jesus then gives another parable all about rights, giving up rights and willingness to extend the forgiveness we have received to those who also need it.
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.
Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” 7
How often does us getting what we want blind us to the extension of the grace and mercy we have received and our giving it to others? Just how large a stumbling block is our self-preservation to our serving the needs of others in drawing closer to God?
