Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven – the disciples asked? Who indeed, we might ask. Matthew uses a series of short stories to make a very clear point about the way Jesus says we are supposed to be. Jesus pointed to a small child and said, ‘you need to be like this’ humble, meek, looking upward to our Father (the one in Heaven not so much the ones we have on earth), seeking His wisdom, direction and guidance. From that place of humility come all the other things that the stories in this chapter set out for us.
When one of us is lost or separated from the flock (sheep are notoriously easily distracted) there is joy to be found when the search brings the lost person back to the fold – it’s not about us it’s about the one who is lost. When someone causes hurt or pain because of some action they’ve taken against you there is joy to be found in the reconciliation and in the restoration of the broken relationship – it’s about the one who has been hurt. When someone has been greedy, selfish or self-absorbed and finds a place of peace there is forgiveness (understand the implications of the word ‘unless’ in v.35). Without the humility to come to each of these places the joy is lost, the separation continues, the isolation deepens and our relationship with God and others is broken. That is the way to hurt and a deepening relationship with sin, immorality and pain.
These stories teach us to put ourselves to one side and do what Jesus calls us to in Matthew 22:38-39 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” It’s about humility and humility is the way to greatness.
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Questions:
As you read through these stories which parts of them do you identify with most clearly? Have you experienced situations like them from any aspect or point of view? Have you found God in any part of those experiences?
Prayer:
Help us Lord to set ourselves aside, to get out of Your way in order that Your will might be done on earth as it is in heaven, Amen.