Once again, I find myself overwhelmed by all of the great stuff in these two chapters! The parables of the lost sheep and the unmerciful servant, the rich young ruler... hopefully some of you will chime in today and we can cover more of it!
This morning I was really challenged and intrigued by Jesus' statement to the disciples that they must "change and become like little children... therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Greatness in the Kingdom was a frequent topic of conversation among the disciples and I think it's still a prominent (although sometimes subtle) one today.
In this world we're certainly impressed with power, prestige, influence and human credentials. And even on the smaller scale of our daily lives, there's a selfish drive to have these things. But these things do not impress God and they do not commend ourselves to Him. What is highly valued in His sight is child-like humility.
So what is that? What does it look like? What struck me the most as I pondered this was that a child has an almost complete lack of self-sufficiency. Really, what all can children contribute on their own? They've mastered nothing and are simply dependent learners. While I'm sure there are plenty of other things that reflect child-like humility, that's the one that's sticking with me this morning.
One individual that we would consider great in the Kingdom, the Apostle Paul, echoed this truth over and over again: "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" (2 Cor 3:5); "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Cor 4:7) and "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature" (Rom 7:18). He went so far as to say, "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Cor 12:9).
Jesus said the same to all of us in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing." That's the child-like humility I want to own more and more in my life: a complete recognition that apart from Him I can do nothing, that in reality I am just as reliant on Him as a child.
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I really liked the story Jesus told to Peter in Chapter 18 because it kind of relates to what we hit on last night in the bible study. When Peter asked how many times he should forgive his brother; the parable really illustrates how God gives us forgiveness for the incredible amount of sin we commit, and, even if we don't deserve it we still receive it. But seeing this story, it really shows how we must also, as Christians, be forgiving to others and forget.
ReplyDeleteI also like how Jesus brings into perspective (in chapter 19) how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. I have always wondered if Jesus means this literally, because that would be impossible, but all things are possible through God... or if there is more too this???