http://www.americanwisdomseries.comPresents
MATTHEWChapter 18
Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Drake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.
John 15:26
But when the
Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the
Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of
me:
John
16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit
of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for
he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
This
Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/
Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.
Now here is our revised study of:
The
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
MATTHEW
Chapter 18
.
"Discipleship. As a little child."
This chapter teaches you how to plant seeds in our daily life, and gain the knowledge that Christ was teaching while on earth in His first advent. It is important in our lives to learn to release the pressures and stresses in our lives, and turning them over to Jesus Christ; knowing that He cares for you. Christianity is not a religion, but a reality. It is words of encouragement of how we can grow closer to our Heavenly Father, and please Him. It is from the Father that all blessings flow back to us.
Matthew 18:1 "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
The whole state of affairs of mankind living on the earth, is based on positions of standing. Whether in government, the church and even within our family. We are going to learn four lessons in this chapter, the first lesson is to be humble, and stay in the low places, and be ready to serve when you are called upon by God. In the Millennium age there will be many from this earth age who consider themselves authorities in Scripture, and deserving the high places, yet they will find themselves in the children's area of teaching, so to speak. We must learn that it is God's Word that does the teaching, and not man's word.
The second lesson taught here is to be patient with our neighbor. Don't be a busybody with the neighbor.
The third lesson is that we are not to take advantage, or scandalize a weak brother. Learn patience when dealing with others, especially those that claim the name of Christ.
The fourth lesson is to correct that brother, or neighbor with love and compassion, when he is at fault, that Christ may be presented to him.
Matthew 18:2 "And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them."
This deals with who is the greatest in heaven, and Jesus is going to explain this in a simple object lesson.
Matthew 18:3 "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."
When you teach a child a new thing that he is interested in, he will open his mind and accept whatever you say. His eyes light up, and the excitement of learning can be seen in his whole body. This child has one hundred percent faith in his father or mother, or whomever is teaching him. As the child listened, there wasn't a doubt in his mind as to the truth of the matter.
Friend, that is exactly what you have to do with Jesus, and the Word of God. Adults pretty much think that we know it all already, and that is a mistake. Regardless how much you think you know, there is so much more that you can be taught if you just put your mind to it. As you place God's Word into your mind, it becomes like a seed, and will grow. As you yield your mind to the Holy Spirit of God, His Spirit will take that seed of the Word, and make it bloom right there in your life.
That blossom of the truth of God's Word will not pass, but it will change your thinking process, the way that you think and reason, for it will set the standard for how you will look at other people and things that come into your life. So you must continually be as that child, when you read and study His Word, and be that receptive to learn and make it part of you.
Matthew 18:4 "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth in His First Advent as a baby. He came not as royalty, but born in a cave with the livestock. He came, born of a virgin girl, with the government out to kill Him, and to the degree that it would kill every child, just to get Jesus. Are you starting to get the picture? You don't enter God's kingdom as the king, but through the servants door, and the matter of being elevated, depends on the type of servant you become.
Being promoted to positions of responsibility depends on your willingness to learn, and follow instruction, and get along with others. It also depends on your faithfulness in the little things, and doing those things in the name of the King [our Heavenly Father]. "Humble" means that our Father gets the credit for what you do, not you, for all good things comes from the Father. The only reason you are in that kingdom, is because His Son paid the price. You came with nothing, you have nothing, and every good morsel that comes your way is credited to where it belongs, our Heavenly Father, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.
That is how you enter the kingdom of heaven, as a child. You come humble as a child, and ready to learn, and sorry for those things you do wrong. As you learn to give God the praise and glory, in Christ's name, He will promote you to the job He knows you can handle, and that He can depend on you doing right.
Matthew 18:5 "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."
This not only refers to children, but those that are humble before the Lord. Man is not equipped to handle all his problems in this world, and this is directed to those that give their problems to the Heavenly Father, just as a child goes to his earthly father. Jesus is instructing us to receive and handle carefully those new babes in Christ, just as we would handle a child.
The child looks to the parent to get the job done, and solve any problem. In his mind, "my daddy can do anything," "my mother can fix anything." You see, you must put yourself in that position concerning God in Heaven. He is able to tend to any matter, and in the way that best fits your need. God has promised us that when we ask in Jesus name, He will not deny you.
John 15:7; "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
Did you catch the condition Jesus gave before you receive? If ye abide in me; are you living for Him? "and my Word abide in you," What about it, do you study His Word, to have those words in your mind, and heart? When you do things God's way, then He blesses you. God is fair and just.
My friend, this is the answer to depression, when you have done all that you can do, then turn it over to the Father to fix. You have to become humble to see that it is beyond you, and it is time to give it over to God. You are the one to make the move, then He will do the rest. Jesus stands at that door and knocks, but the handle to open that door is on the inside of your heart. Jesus will not bust into anyone's business or life, unless you invite Him to do so.
When you do this act of letting Him come into your life, then Christianity stops being a form of religious practice, and it becomes life, it becomes the reality of real life and that is life filled with Christ, and directed by His Holy Spirit.
Matthew 18:6 "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were handed about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Jesus is saying that if you offend them and accuse them when they are as children in the Lord, and cause them to fall and turn from the Lord; it would have been better for you if you were done away with. When one truly believes the Father, as a child in understanding, and you cause them to fall in your judgmental ways, you will be treated very harshly by the Almighty Father on Judgment day. When you realize what you have done, friend it is time to repent to the Father, and to the babe in Christ. This is not a matter to play games with.
Matthew 18:7 "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
The troubles of the world will trip up everyone at one time or another, they will come because that is the way the world is and the nature of man. This is directed to those that place temptation in the path of another child of God, that this person would fall. Satan loves it when we take our freedoms that we have in Christ, and place it in the path of that child in the Lord that just can't handle it.
Though our conscience gives us certain freedoms, those freedoms can be stumbling blocks in the path of another person, and that offence can become the reason that a child in the Lord, (regardless of his or her age), turns away from Christ.
Matthew 18:8 "Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire."
God has given us His health laws that show us how to protect our physical bodies. Those health laws tell us what to eat and what not to eat so we can live a healthy life. When you break one of the health laws the punishment is sickness to this flesh body, which could end in the death of this flesh body.
Why then would He tell us to mutilate the flesh body for the sake of the soul, when through His laws, He stresses our protection of it. The answer is; He doesn't, and mutilation is not what is talked about here.
This is in reference to the protection of that many membered body of Christ. He is talking about those members of the many membered body of Christ, that if you cannot conduct yourself as part of that body of Christ, as one of these children of His kingdom, and you bring offences to those that are, you are to be separated from the main body, while you are offensive. Sometimes God allows troublemakers to become part of a church, to be a thorn to them, and this can be tolerated. However, Jesus is telling us that it is best to just tell them to leave, rather then have them cause others to fall.
Matthew 18:9 "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire."
This is directed to those in the church that are to be the watchmen. Those that watch that which is taught is from God's Word, and keeping the eye out for the well being of the church body. It is better to go with less understanding of God's Word, and dig it out for yourselves, then put up with allowing someone to steer the body of Christ into some other path. Little children don't act that way, it would be someone that thinks that they know it all, and trying to add something new to God's Word.
Matthew 18:10 "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say into you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
When one is as a child before God, regardless of age, and calls on God. God assigns an angel to that person, and each of those angels have the face of of the Heavenly Father. That means that when trouble comes, that angel can instantly call our Heavenly Father, and get His attention to the matter. Jesus is telling us that it is He that is assuring us of this fact, that if you try to bother one of these babes in Christ, it will be brought instantly to God's attention. You will not get away with harming any of Christ's little ones.. You see that this is addressed to God's little ones, and the person that does not believe in God does not have an attending angel.
Calling God's attention to the matter is beholding the face of God. When God tends to the matter there will be a correction taking place.
Matthew 18:11 "For the son of man is come to save that which was lost."
That is the whole purpose for Jesus Christ coming to earth as a baby, to save you.
Matthew 18:12 "How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?"
Of course the shepherd will do that, for He knows how defenseless that little lamb is to wild animals. He knows that the only protection a sheep has is the shepherd, himself. Our Heavenly Father has that kind of love and compassion for His sheep, and when one has gone astray, He will go after that precious soul, and He will take on all the demonics of this world, to get his lamb back.
It really doesn't matter how deep in sin and the habits of this world you have sunk; it really doesn't matter because when you get your eyes focused on Christ, and you call out to God to save you, He will take you right where you are, and make you a new creature. If you are on drugs, or in some crime, or even sunk to the depths of Sodomy, God will save you out of your filthy condition, and open your eyes to see Him. You are the one, though, that makes the choice, and calls out to Him, and He will do the rest. You are the one that has to recognize that you need the help, and repent, and He will save you. God loves His children.
God will take the attention from the ninety nine that are serving Him, and focus that attention on the one sinner that is lost. It doesn't take much to get God moving in your direction, just a crack in the door, saying, Father come into my heart, forgive me dear Lord; and He will.
Then God will help you control your flesh body, as you get yourself under control. To get off drugs, or alcohol, or change your lifestyle from perversion, Christ will give you the strength to see it through. The Holy Spirit of God will be there with you night and day, and when the going gets tough, He is there by your side, and in your mind to give you comfort. Friend, Christ is not a religion, but a reality with your very soul and mind. When He comes He brings new life, and hope that you can rely on, every moment of the rest of your life. God will change your habits, your goals, and then He will place an angel to watch over you.
Live Link to- Church is not Christianity. God's Word is Christianity. And Jesus is "THE WORD of GOD"
Matthew 18:13 "And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray."
Friend, when you see the light of His Word, and repent and call out to the Father to "save me", there is rejoicing in heaven; and that is where it counts. Though men on this earth hold something against you, and treat you as a second class citizen, God does not. God created your soul, and placed your spirit within you, and there is a eternal value to your soul, and God has set that value to your soul.
Whether that soul is destroyed, or committed to an eternal destiny, that is for you to decide. You do not have to prepare yourself to make that decision, but just have sight enough to focus on the cross of Christ, and call out for His forgiveness. He will touch you right where you are.
Jesus is telling you here that God will give you special attention. God will give you what it takes to see you through.
Matthew 18:14 "Even so it is not the will of your Father Which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
This doesn't mean that one of them won't, because the choice is up to all those with free will, but it is the Father's will that none of them would. We are reminded of this in II Peter 3:9; "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." That means that God has lots of patience, He has been waiting on you, and will continue; however there is a time coming when it will be just too late.
Matthew 18:15 "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
This is a new lesson, and Jesus is telling us to settle our affairs between each other. Don't allow your problems to become the gossip of the church, or the neighborhood. When problems come up between you and your neighbor, or brother then go to him at once. Settle the problem if it is possible, then you still have him as a friend. Most problems that exist in families and groups exist because of a lack of communication, or the willingness to forgive another.
If the brother is in the ministry, or the brother that loves the Lord, he should listen to what you have to say. However, many that say they are in the Lord, refuse to follow the instructions that Christ teaches. When this practice is followed, there will be very few times that it would need to end up in court.
Matthew 18:16 "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one of two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."
On the other hand if that brother will not listen or speak to you, to find some acceptable course, then take two or three witnesses with you and try to reach some settlement of understanding. In this way you will have witnesses if the matter ever went to court.
Matthew 18:17 "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
Some people are just too crude to act properly. They are not the same as you, in the Lord, and their center in life is the same as the heathen. Don't cater to them, but treat them at arms length. Don't trust them, or get too close to them. Then, when a matter comes up between you and that person, after making a simple attempt to settle your difference, after that person refuses to allow an arbitrator from within the church, go right to legal counsel..
This is Christ teaching on matters between members of the body of Christ. Those outside the body of Christ are not part of this instruction. When this happens you set yourself apart from that person, and if it is your blood brother, you do the same. Don't treat that person as an enemy, but as a brother that you just don't care to be around, until the matter is tended to.
Matthew 18:18 "Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
If you are a man or woman of God, and you have the key to heaven, what you bind with that key in heaven is bound here on earth, as well as it is bound in heaven. This is directed to the binding between two or more parties, where they all are of the elect of God, love the Lord, and try to live and abide by the key, or the instructions of God in His Word.
This shows you the power that there is in the servants of the living God, one of God's elect. This then is an expansion on Matthew 16:19; "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." If you have and teach those keys to David, then your angel has God's attention any time you are in need.
Matthew 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father Which is in heaven."
Many people misread their greed into this verse. There is a condition to the asking, and expecting those requests to be answered. The matter is addressing the disciples, and applies to the disciples of Christ, whether two thousand years ago, or today. This applies to those who discipline themselves in the Word of God, to learn it and grow skilled in that Word.
Two individuals calling themselves Christians, yet desiring not to study God's Word, are not the two in agreement of this verse. They would be the "blind leading the blind", heading for the ditch, as we read in Matthew 15:14. If your agreement is not with one of Christ's disciples, then the promises of this verse do not apply to you. The condition is that, "if any two of you", you being disciples of Christ, agree and ask. The request is with God's work at heart, rather then trouble makers.
Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
His name is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and He is the Living Word of God, made flesh and came and dwelt amongst us. When you are gathered together in the Living Word, and claiming the promises from that Living Word, and having faith in Him, God will be with you by the dwelling of His Holy Spirit. When you are gathered together in His name, it means that you have repented, and are looking to study God's Word more in-depth.
Matthew 18:21 "Then came Peter to Him, and said, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"
This is Peter suggesting to Jesus that we should forgive our brother seven times. What was Jesus reaction?
Matthew 18:22 "Jesus saith unto him, "I say not unto the, until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
Jesus added to Peter's law, and made it seven times seventy, or four hundred ninety times. Remember that the definition of "brother", is one either of the tribes of Israel, or our family members; and if that brother repents to you, you must forgive him. There is no exceptions to this. This applies to a neighbor also. The neighbor is the person not of Israel, and of another race, or peoples, who believes in Jesus Christ. You will forgive them also, and our patience extends to each of these.
To forgive someone requires repentance, and if they don't repent you are not bound to give the forgiveness. In the name of Christ, most all believers will not carry the grudge, but will forgive them in their heart, for the forgiveness will heal the barrier between the two of you, and give peace within your mind. This is only possible by the love that we have in Christ.
The forgiveness that is the hardest to give, is the forgiveness that God requires in forgiving ourselves. It is a lot easier to forgive others, but the difficulty comes because of our own vanity and pride, when inside we place ourselves a little higher then the next guy. The ease of forgiveness comes with maturity in God's Word. This is why it is important to ask forgiveness, then forgive yourselves to have your prayers answered.
Matthew 18:23 "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants."
This is the way it will be in heaven.
Matthew 18:24 "And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents."
So you can see the amount we are talking about here, one talent is seven hundred and fifty ounces of silver, in our current weights. Now multiply that by ten thousand to get what this servant shorted his master. This is well over a million dollars by our standards, and this is what was owed.
Matthew 18:25 "But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made."
In other words, there was just no way to meet the obligation, and settle the account. This servant is just no good.
Remember that our subject in this parable is forgiveness. This person made no effort to pay any of it, so God sold him and everything that he had.
Matthew 18:26 "The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, 'lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' "
When worship takes place, then idolatry is practiced. This person saw that all was lost, and at the point of no return, he submits to the master in idolatry. Because God is the master in this parable, this man was not in idolatry, but is total submission to God, by his commitment.
This man is promising to pay back an amount when it is impossible to do so. This man is telling God that he will meet all parts of the obligation, and pay back every penny.
God doesn't want us to pay Him back, but to repent, and turn from that way we were in.
Matthew 18:27 "Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him and forgave him the debt."
That king heard the repentance of the servant, and wrote off the entire amount. That servant didn't owe the master one cent. The master had compassion when he heard of the man's repentance. That is how God deals with His children. Though your sins may be great, and once you repent and worship Him, He forgives all things.
Forgiveness is the subject here, and Peter asked how often, and we saw that to be four hundred and ninty times a day. Now as to how much, Jesus is telling us, everything that is owed, once repented.
Matthew 18:28 "But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that thou owest.' "
This servant just did not get the message, he was forgiven for over a million bucks, and it was forgiven completely, yet this other servant that owed him just over two dollars in value and he wants to throw his fellow servant in jail over the matter. He is going to take the man's life over two dollars.
This is a parable, but it also is an analogy showing the difference between God's forgiveness, and man's forgiveness.
Matthew 18:29 "And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' "
This fellowservant is on his knees, just like this other servant was before the king [master]; and did you catch those words? They were the same request for mercy. The servant has repented to this man.
Matthew 18:30 "And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt."
In our day, this is called a double standard, and is quite common in our legal system. But it is not God's way of doing things. The lesson that Jesus is giving His disciples here, is be very careful what you ask God forgiveness for, For if you will not forgive your fellow man of the same, don't expect it of God. God is fair, and He is just.
It is hard to compare the difference between the forgiveness of sin, and the forgiveness of a debt, for only God can forgive sin, yet Jesus is using this to show us just how important it is for His disciples to forgive those that seek it from us.
Matthew 18:31 "So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done."
Remember that this parable of forgiveness is part of the lessons given before. In verse ten Jesus told us that these young children in the Lord had angels assigned to them in heaven, to report to the face of God. They were to tell all the problems that God's new born in the Lord faced.
Now apply that to this verse, this fellowservants was given a hard time and wicked deed by the servant that was forgiven, and the angels went directly to the king, and reported the treatment to Him. This parable is with the king in heaven, and the servants are ones that call themselves Christian. We are not discussing the heathen, but the actions and forgiveness between two servants of the same master, our Heavenly Father.
In the world today this is as it also is, for God knows what is going on, and all reveange is the Lords. God has His ways of making all things right.
Matthew 18:32 "Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, 'O thou wicked servent, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:"
Matthew 18:33 "Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"
Matthew 18:34 "And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him."
"The tormentors" in today's terminology is called evil spirits. The torments of the jailers that can make your life miserable today.
Matthew 18:35 "So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
This is after repentance that you are bound to forgive him. If the person refuses to repent then you are not bound to forgive him. The forgiveness is a condition on the attitude of the one that did the harm, and this is why we see judges of today go much harder of those who refuse to have a repentive heart.
God does not require you to have a bleeding heart over one that does you wrong, and then tries to run from it. God set his standards for those call themselves Christians, and the pattern of our lives is spelled out in His Word. When the other person is Christian, and has wronged us, This chapter has set the guidelines of how we are to deal with that person. We are not talking about the unsaved here, but only those that call themselves disciples of Christ.
The compassion comes after repentance by the one that did the wrong. When we do it all God's way, then when we ask of Him in prayer, Our Lord will answer our prayer, and we can expect it.
Editor's note: We are going to stop here in our "Book of Matthew Study" to review some commentary from chapter18 in an earlier study we published of Matthew. I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these two authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that took place may prove helpful in your understanding of the gospel of Matthew.Please know that If you ARE part of the kingdom of heaven, that His kingdom is NOT of this world.
The King of kings and Lord of lords has just shown and explained to Peter (petros) by using the analogy of who pays custom and tribute and who does not, that the king's children, i.e. the children of the king's house who are therefore the children of the kingdom, are free indeed (Mat. 17:26). Of course that makes even more sense when one considers that spiritually speaking, it is the many membered body of Christ that makes up the temple as Peter himself would later explain in 1 Pet. 2:5... "ye also as lively (living) stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
Now we are going to learn a great lesson about that kingdom of heaven, the family of God, as Jesus Christ imparts to us some essential knowledge along with His precious wisdom and instruction regarding humility and how we should act toward and treat our brothers and sisters, the children of the kingdom.
Our lesson begins with the following question:
The context of this question lets us know that the disciples are asking who "among us" is the greatest. But still, don't you think this is an amazing question from the disciples considering that the King of the kingdom, the greatest One of all, who for some time now has been teaching them and leading them by example, was standing right there with them? Well... perhaps it is not so amazing nor such an unusual question for many there are today who "dispute among themselves" concerning who is the greatest, the 7,000, the 144,000, etc. Nevertheless, this subject of "who should be the greatest" had been on the minds of the disciples for sometime now and Christ of course knew it. Mark 9:33-34 "And He came to Capernaum: and being in the house He asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? [34] But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest."Matthew 18:1
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Note: The Greek word for "great" used here is "meizon" which a comparative of "megas".
Perhaps at this point the other disciples thought Peter, James, and John were receiving special attention since they were the only ones Jesus had taken up into an high mountain apart to be shown the transfiguration. Whether that is true or not as to what they thought, they have now asked Christ the big question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?", and He shall begin to answer that question by first making a visual model for our flesh eyes to see and from which we can draw a simple spiritual analogy (see Rom. 1:20). Surely you have heard the saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words". Well, memory experts have confirmed that old adage to be true by demonstrating that people remember infinitely more of what they see than what they hear or read. That being the case and to help give contrast to the imagery Christ is about to show us, take a few moments to see and analyze what picture comes into your mind's eye when you hear or read "the greatest in the kingdom of heaven"...megas, great, large, of physical magnitude, of the measure, number, cost and estimation of things. (A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament, by E. W. Bullinger, pg. 342)
... Ok, time is up. What do you see? Perhaps an hierarchy where one is exalted or elevated in stature and importance over the others? Now let us "see" and understand the picture Jesus Christ wants us to "see"!
See this simple picture! See a little child "called" by Jesus Christ now standing in the midst of the disciples... in the midst of all those elder brothers.Matthew 18:2
And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them,
Physically, we ALL start out as little children before we can mature and become adults, don't we? And one very important thing we must keep in mind is that little children trust and believe in what their elders, especially those of their own family, tell them to be true and they also follow after and do what their elders tell them to. That alone makes little children very vulnerable and susceptible to lies and spiritual (or otherwise) seduction.[3] 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.
To that end, there are two points Christ makes concerning little children. The first is that one must be converted, which is to be "turned about", and be humbled to spiritually become as a little child, else he or she will never even enter into the kingdom of heaven. Secondly, one had better be real careful how he or she handles and treats a little child of God, a babe in Christ. For if one does not receive that child "in His name" but rather "offends" (scandalizes) one of God's own kids, that person shall eventually experience our Father's wrath for as it is written in the Commandments, that one SHALL NOT be held guiltless! This is a most serious matter so we had better pay close attention to Christ's instructions.
There are several aspects to both humbleness and greatness, one of which, the humbleness of service, we will cover in more detail when Christ addresses it in chapter 23.[4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
However, here is a little preview:
Even He who truly IS the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, the King of kings and Lord of lords, both humbled Himself and became the greatest servant of all.Matthew 23:11
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.[12] And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Unlike Lucifer who sought to exalt himself above the throne of God (Isa. 14:13), Christ did not seek to exalt Himself and become "of reputation", which is to be renowned and looked up to by men.Philip. 2:7-11
But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Christ's power and glory and authority, recognized by His name, is above every other name in both heaven and earth.[8] And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Yes, even those "under the earth" (in the pit), i. e. Satan and his demonic angels, are subject to the name (authority) of Jesus Christ.[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
It is our Father in heaven to whom glory and honor belongs and is given... NOT us. As it is written (Mat. 23:12), he who exalts himself (again, a characteristic of Satan) SHALL BE abased! So be humble in dealing with your brothers and sisters and seek not your own glory but rather "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16)." For you "see", the works that you do are not your own works, but the work of God which is the doing of His will.[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Also remember that if you ARE part of the kingdom of heaven, that His kingdom is NOT of this world (John 18:36).Philip. 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
So with that preview in mind, let us return to the spiritual point Christ now follows up with in verses 5-14, which is that the greatest (as in the most important) ones in the kingdom of heaven, the family of God, are the little children, even those whom He has called who are now babes in Christ. That only makes sense for is it not true that the most important members in our families, even our nation, are the little children who must be fed and nurtured and provided for? Of course it is and a loving parent is not only willing to make sacrifices to care for that child but would even give his or her own life to protect or save that precious child. And God help those who would try and molest that parent's child.
Understanding then that the greatest, even the most important one, in the kingdom of heaven is one who has become lowly and has "humbled himself as this little child" (Mat. 18:4), let us see how we should "receive one such little child".
Again, a little child trusts and believes in what the adults tell him, doesn't he? So to receive a little child in Christ's name is to receive that child with and according to His Word, which is to do it in the power and love and authority of Jesus Christ. You see, when we get to Matthew 24 Christ will explain that in these last days many will come (and have already) in His name, i.e. claiming to represent Him as Christian ministers and preachers and priests, etc., and deceive many. Matthew 24:5 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
These many who come in His name do NOT receive the precious little children (Think "babes in Christ"/New Christians)of the kingdom in His name. Instead, they entrap them and then spiritually seduce the little children by teaching the traditions of men which cause them to go astray! And our Father doesn't like it! Would you?deceive, planao, plan-ah'-o, Greek 4105; from Greek 4106 (plane); to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) :- go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.
The word "offend" in Greek is "skandalizo" from which we derive our word "scandal".Matthew 18:6
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.
In these last days we are more than accustomed to seeing scandal after scandal even in the arena of religion and churches. But the "scandal of the worst kind" is to "offend one of these little ones which believe in me (Christ)"! You "see", when a person reaches a point in his or her life, perhaps when his whole world has become dark and turned upside down as in "tohu va bohu", and he or she now "turns (converts) to" the light and becomes humble as a little child before Christ, he or she is very vulnerable and susceptible to "scandal"! If you therefore are a "spiritual child molester" you are in big, big trouble! Our Father does NOT like it when His children are "molested" and led astray by those who claim to represent Christ by calling themselves Christian preachers, ministers, priests, bishops, or whatever title of exaltation they may bestow upon themselves... like "reverend" or "most holy", etc!offend, skandalizo, skan-dal-id'-zo, Greek 4624; ("scandalize"); from Greek 4625 (skandalon); to entrap, i.e. trip up (figurative stumble [transitive] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) :- (make to) offend.
As we read earlier, it was foretold by Christ Himself in Mat. 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 that there would be massive offenses (deception and leading astray, i.e. casting of stumbling blocks) in these last days by the many would come claiming to represent Him. Just make sure you are not involved in the "scandalizing" of the little children by teaching them to follow the vain (empty) traditions of men which make void the Word of God, i.e. make it of none effect (Mat. 15:16, Mark 7:13).Furthermore, do not support those members who do teach those vain traditions which cause our people to stumble and fall or you become partakers of their evil deeds (2 Jn. 1:11).Let us be reminded of the 3rd Commandment which we referred to earlier in our study.[7] Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
It reads as follows:
Again, to take the name of the LORD is to claim His authority, to claim that you represent Him and therefore His Word.Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
So if you set yourself up as a teacher, taking and using His name by claiming you represent Him, and you teach the vain (empty) traditions of men instead of teaching His words, the Word of God, chapter by chapter and line by line, thus leading His children astray and causing them to be lost, you will pay a great price. "The LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain".
To that end, the following analogies Christ gives to us are given to instruct us how to "spiritually" separate ourselves from members of the body of Christ who unrepentantly cause offenses to the body.
Christ is in no way talking about severing a flesh body part for the subject is still "scandalizing" the children of God which includes all our brothers and sisters. He is speaking of those members of the body which bring offence and cause our people to stumble and fall and miss out on salvation. A "hand" for example is used to symbolize "work" and as it is written to the whole body, all 7 churches in Rev. 2 & 3, He knows your works, i.e. what your hand does! If your "hand" (work) causes children of the kingdom to stumble and fall, as do the works of 5 out of the 7 churches in Rev. 2 & 3, then you better stop it! Cut it off... as in cut it out,! Likewise if other hands or laborers will not turn and humble themselves as little children but continue to set stumbling blocks before the people, cut them off as well. The same applies to a "foot" who walks not in the path of righteousness (His Word) but carries the body down the wrong path. Go on crutches if you must, but always walk in His way... unerring in His Word.Matthew 18:8
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Your "eye" is that member which "sees" and watches over the body and which keeps an eye out (pun, pun) for the enemy while guarding the Word of Truth and Justice. If your "seer" is seeing and teaching things other than that which is written in Father's Word, like an any moment rapture theory or some other nonsensical and non-scriptural doctrine, then separate yourself from that part which causes the offence. Again, the subject is "scandalizing", the leading astray by false doctrines and the traditions of men which cause our people to fall into apostasy and lead them straight to hell, to the lake of fire at the end of Millennium.[9] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
As we learned in a prior study, many so-called Christian preachers and ministers are nothing more than thieves and robbers who teach for vainglory and/or money! In fact, that is the problem with the members of the church of Pergamos who held to the doctrine of Balaam, i.e. whose ministers preached for money.
The word "stumblingblock" in Greek is "skandalon"! You "see", Balaam was even a true priest of Israel, but if one takes the time to read the account he or she will find he preached to Balac, i.e. the Moabites, for MONEY.Know any churches like that? Do you know any churches that concentrate on tithes, and fund raisers, and pledges of money, and pass the plate, and building funds, etc, etc. fact at one point Balaam had his ass so loaded with "donations" that God intervened with an angel and had the ass speak to Balaam to bring him to his senses. So if you listen to or support a "seer", a teacher who should be a true watchman but who instead sees big $$$$ and is always asking for money or donations, then be wary my friend and "turn about" and sever yourself from that part.Rev. 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Here are Christ's words to the church of Pergamos who supports the doctrine of Balaam: Rev. 2:16 "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
So that takes care of the unrepentant "offenders", but where does that leave the little ones?
Matthew 18:10
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
The point is, our Father knows exactly what is happening to His children at any given moment. In fact, all that has ever happened is a matter of recorded witness and testimony and the fact is that the children of house of Israel have been "scandalized" by false prophets (even in the first earth age) and they have wandered so far astray from His Word that they have lost their way back home to the Father. That is why Jesus Christ came... to save that which was lost.2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
The lost sheep of the House of Israel have sinned and gone astray and now wander in the wilderness. However, our Father has NOT lost track of the very least of them and though they are sinners, they are still His children and each and everyone of them are dear and precious to Him. And you know what? When one of them repents and finds his or her way back home, their angels REJOICE, even their own family members who have lived and died and are now part of that heavenly host being that they are in their spiritual bodies.Matthew 18:11
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
So do not despise, as in cast aside, even one of the little ones who believe in Him! To that end, Christ now gives an analogy of how wonderful it is find a lost sheep after diligently seeking for him or her.Luke 15:10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Did you know that one hundred denotes "Election of Grace" or the "Children of Promise" in Biblical numerics?Matthew 18:12
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
What a wonderful feeling it must be after having a child that you love so much but who has gone astray, finally return home to your open arms. Would you not call that the happiest day in your life? Well, our Father has many lost children due to the great "scandalizer" himself, Satan the devil, and all those who have become hands and feet and eyes for him in these last days. However, make no mistake about it! Father still loves each and everyone of His lost children and it is His heartfelt desire that each little one repent and return to His open arms.[13] And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Peter (petros) knew and understood this and gives a second witness to our Father's desire that ALL should come to repentance and not be cast into the hell fire![14] Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
What a happy day it is for our Father when one of His lost children does come to repentance and returns home to Him. Therefore, do not neglect nor despise the little ones, but rather receive them in His name and lead them to the kingdom of heaven through His precious Word. He will love you for it!2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
[Matthew 6:11] "Give us this day our daily bread. [Matthew 6:12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
How forgiving a person are you? As a disciple and servant of Jesus Christ, how forgiving a person should you be? Do you harbor grudges or resentments against people? Unfortunately far too many Christians get caught up in either festering and becoming bitter or worse yet in telling everybody else about a problem they may have with a brother or sister instead of doing the right thing by following the directions of Jesus Christ specific to handling and resolving these matters.
To that end, we find in the latter half of this 18th chapter of Matthew an extremely important set of commands and instructions from our Lord and Savior as to how we should interact and communicate with our brothers and sisters, especially when one of them "trespasses against us"! Also, as we absorb this wisdom and precious knowledge from His Word, let us always remember that there is not one us who is perfect and without the capacity to also be a committer of trespasses against our brothers. So perhaps by just having read with understanding how we should act towards our brothers and sisters to resolve our problems it will help us to be more open and willing to repent of our own trespasses when we are suddenly aware that one of our brothers has come to us in the manner prescribed by the Word of God.
We begin our study with the simplest yet most profound counsel ever there was in dealing with problems among brothers and sisters in Christ.
This incredibly powerful advice from the wisest One of all, if taken heed to and dutifully applied in one's life, will not only eliminate the majority of problems that rise up, including those both real and imagined, but will also prevent by "nipping in the bud" a host of other problems that most assuredly will arise as a result of NOT following His way. Furthermore, His healing words of wisdom will also eliminate many "mental health" problems by not allowing a host of evil spirits like suspicion, bitterness, resentment, etc., to come and dwell rent free in your head and bang on the walls of your mind at all hours of the day or night!Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Suppose for example that a brother has trespassed against you, or even if you think he has, but instead of keeping your mouth shut until you have been able to go directly and privately to that person to bring the matter to his attention (as per Christ's instruction), you instead go around telling others what an injustice that "I-can't-believe-he-calls-himself-a-Christian" so-and-so has perpetrated upon you, then you are most likely committing an even greater trespass than did the one you accuse. This is a serious matter as it can spread ill-will and spiritual sickness among the brotherhood and cause one to build up a "resentment", which is a word meaning to "feel again" (re = again, sentir = to sense or feel). You "see", when you tell some third party your complaints or ill-feelings about another, you re-feel those thoughts and emotions and they increase in strength through the exercise you give them thereby building up and hardening the resentment. Not only that, it infects others with a negative spirit, i.e. negative thoughts, and sets a very bad example for others to follow. Then, if and when the brother with whom you have a problem hears the rumors spread about, the matter grows worse and becomes even more difficult to resolve. Therefore if you find yourself as a third party and someone comes to you complaining about a brother or sister's trespass, do not give them your ear, but gently explain to them what Christ would have them do (Mat. 18:15)! The beauty of doing things His way is that you promote soundness of mind and peace of mind and prevent the spread of gossip and discord. It is your choice but know this well: How you as a disciple of Christ conduct your affairs in these matters has a direct bearing on the most serious aspect of all this which is contained in the latter part of verse 15 and reads: "if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained a brother."
Remember from our last study why it is Christ said He came... which is to save the lost! The successful resolve of a trespass which has been committed by one brother against another and ends up with a reconciliation between the two, benefits (is gain) to both parties and therefore is gain to the kingdom and family of God. That type of resolution can only be achieved when the presence of both the spirit of forgiveness and repentance is found. Think about it! And though we are all sinners, if you are one of Christ's disciples who has eyes to see and ears to hear then you have a great responsibility in that He has given unto you the keys to the kingdom of heaven by which you are able to open truth and knowledge to show the lost the way back home. The fact is, repentance and forgiveness have an awful lot to do with salvation, i.e. saving the lost, don't they? Yes they do... and Christ is going to spend a great deal of time in the remainder of this chapter addressing them. But before He does He gives us further instruction in handling those cases where one who has committed a real trespass is unwilling to settle the matter even after you have gone to that brother or sister and confronted him or her gently (in love) and in private as per Christ's instructions. Still at this point, be willing to give that brother or sister the benefit of the doubt in that he or she might not yet fully understand or, for whatever reason, be unable to or unwilling to see where he or she is in the wrong. If you have reached this point, then here is the next step we are instructed to take.
This gets the matter opened up before two or three witnesses who should be impartial and objective and mature in the Word of God especially in matters pertaining to the law so as to be able to hear both sides and wisely arbitrate (judge) the matter. If this fails and the person "neglects" to hear them, and even "neglects" to hear the greater assembly, which means he flat out refuses to abide by the family rules of law, then let the matter become of public record and deal with that person as you would an outsider, even in the civil courts if it is a matter of substance and is warranted. You see, at this point he is unrepentant and has thus shown that he really is not your brother.[16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Make sure however that even if it has gone this far, if he yet becomes convicted and has a change of heart and humbles himself in genuine repentance, that you are still willing to forgive him! That's the command and it is real simple! If a brother repents... forgive him! If he doesn't repent, execute even the full extent of the law pertaining to the matter. Christians are not doormats for people to walk all over and take advantage of. Quite frankly, if you let people that swindle you or trespass against you get away with it without confronting them or doing anything about it, you do both them and others they might swindle or take advantage of a great disservice. Do that which is right and just according to His Word and remember, if it is a brother who trespasses against you, rebuke him gently and if he repents, forgive him.[17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
And if it happens again that he trespasses against you, even in the same day, and he once again genuinely repents, then forgive him again.Luke 17:3
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Some people have weaknesses in certain areas and it takes time for them to mature in His Word and grow strong whereby they can overcome those weakness. So be patient! After all, you have the keys to the kingdom of heaven and shall possess all its riches for all eternity, so you can certainly afford to be patient and merciful to your brothers and sisters, especially when they repent, right? This is very important to the work of God as Christ now shows us.[4] And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Christ is reminding us here of both the responsibility we have and the reason He has given us the precious keys of the kingdom of heaven, to which this is connected. You may recall we covered this in detail in chapter 16.Matthew 18:18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Remember the lesson we learned in chapter 16? If you are one of Christ's disciples who is like Simon (hearing) BarJona (of the Dove or Spirit), i.e. has ears to hear what the Holy Spirit says through the Word of God, then you are become a "petros", a "living stone" (1 Pet. 2:5), and you are here in His name, as His representative to build up the family. To wit, you are a representative of the kingdom of heaven who carries the keys of that kingdom which the King Himself has given to you. You have been sent here to do His work which is to plant seeds and/or to teach our people and bind them to His truth which sets them at liberty by loosing them from the traditions of men which lead them to spiritual death. Again, why did Christ come? To save the lost! To bring salvation! Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;". Know this also, and consider it carefully in the latter half of today's study, that you are going to give account and be recompensed, or rewarded, according to your works, according to what you bind and loose here on earth.Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The subject is still doing His work, i.e. the binding and loosing which pertains to salvation and the entering in the door to the kingdom. What Christ is simply saying is that if two (or more) of His disciples, His representatives who come in His name, ask for help in carrying forth that work according to His will, Father will see to it that they shall receive it.Matthew 18:19
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Here is how that works:
Where two or three of His servants, which by the way is the required number to bear witness in matters of life and death according to the law, are gathered "in His name", which means they are gathered to do His work according to His will which at times may include settling the matters of trespasses which has been the subject up to this point, then Jesus Christ shall be in the midst of them... even to give wise counsel. So ask Him and Father will provide. After all you "see", Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God![20] For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Let us now be reminded of that which we touched on earlier and that is that there can be no reconciliation between brothers where there is a trespass one against the other unless there is repentance followed by forgiveness. The question is then, just how far we should carry this matter of forgiveness... even keeping in mind that genuine repentance is a "prerequisite" to it.
Good old Peter asks the question for us!
Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
In Biblical numerics "70" is the number of "Israel and her restoration" and "7" is the number of "Spiritual completeness" (see "Biblical Mathematics", Ed. F. Vallowe, pgs. 80 & 191). You may recall that we left off in our last study with Matthew 18:14 which reads "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." When it comes to the salvation and restoration of His children, even our brothers and sisters of the House of Israel both naturally and spiritually, there is no limit to the amount of forgiveness Jesus Christ is willing and able to bestow when one repents and turns to Him and asks for mercy. The question then is: "As one of His representatives who possesses the keys to the kingdom of heaven, should there be any limit to yours?" It is only the condition, the meekness and humbleness of heart, that determines whether or not forgiveness is granted. You "see", Jesus Christ gave His life and paid an awesome price for "whosoever" will turn to Him in repentance and ask for forgiveness.[22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Therefore, consider the following simple analogy concerning the kingdom of heaven.
All shall give account to the King of kings.[23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Ten thousand is "10", which in Biblical numerics is the number of law, times "1000" which denotes divine completeness and the glory of God. Spiritually speaking then, a person who is indebted to this incredible amount has fallen short of the law and short of the glory of God. In fact as the next verse shows, he is now wiped out and owes everything he has (and more) to his Lord! Is that so tough to understand? Can we not all say, "There but for the grace of God go I" for you and I along with all our brothers and sisters are in the same boat? Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." What we do about that is up to each and every one of us, but one thing is for sure. If we do not have His forgiveness we are in big trouble![24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Up to this point the man "had not to pay" which means he had not attempted to make good on his debt. Then when he discovered the seriousness of it all, he became willing to repent.[25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant humbled himself before his Lord and worshipped him and asked for mercy and compassion.[26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Our Father does not want us to repay that which we are indebted to Him, nor could we, but rather to turn to Him in true repentance at which point He will forgive us our debt... for Christ has paid sufficiently to cover us all! Of course in terms of money and material things, He owns everything there is anyway, doesn't He? He does not want nor need our money nor our sacrifices and burnt offerings (Hos. 6:6). What He wants is our love![27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
So now this person is loosed from his debt and has become a Christian and goes out to work in the field with his fellowservants.
Here is what happens next.
It is interesting that Christ uses money and the weight thereof to draw an analogy for us for the god of silver is near and dear to the hearts of many people. Nevertheless, the analogy is visual and it allows us to "see" the stark comparison of the magnitude of the forgiveness of Christ verses the magnitude, or lack thereof, of the forgiveness of man! Remember too, this is one of his own fellowservants he is coming down on. Did you know that one hundred is "election of grace" or "children of promise" in Biblical numerics? How small in "weight" are the few coins that make up an hundred pence (about $20) compared to the "burden" of 10,000 talents of silver?[28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Since this was fellowservant to fellowservant and not a servant to the Lord relationship, the man humbled himself (fell down at his feet) and besought his brother to be patient with him, but he did not worship him. Of course neither should he have. But look what the fellowservant did who had been forgiven such an enormous load of debt by the Lord![29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
He not only would not forgive his brother nor even be patient with him but rather delivered him up and had him cast into prison. Woe! How well do you think that is looked upon by Christ or even the rest of the brotherhood?[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
It is a sad thing to see one of our fellowservants act in such an unforgiving, ungodly manner.[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
The Lord had compassion on the man and forgave him all that debt because he had humbled himself and repented and ask for mercy. Next time a brother does likewise and comes to you in repentance, sincerely asking for your patience, remember the fate of this wicked unforgiving servant when he was called to give account.[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Time to give account![33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
This is why you do unto others as you would have others do unto you. You see, what you unrighteously bind on earth shall be bound upon you in the kingdom of heaven and what you righteously loose on earth shall be loosed to you likewise in heaven. It is called just recompense, my friend, and it shall be meted unto all according to their own works.[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
So be merciful and compassionate to others, even as your Father also is merciful to those who humble themselves and repent of their transgressions. Here are the plain and simple words of Christ as recorded by Dr. Luke and which need no commentary nor further explanation.[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Luke 6:36
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.[37] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Be a doer of the Word and remember always to ask Father to "Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:11-12)."[38] Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
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