One very important chapter in application as a Christian, then to the church. Then onto where it all begins at the forgiveness of sins, closing out the chapter.
(Now let's remember short time before this Christ gave the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. That is through Peter the Church, built on that rock solid foundation immovable force through The LORD; Matthew 16:13-20. Any thought of that would of been misdirected as Christ told Peter He gave him the keys, not that he is the greatest. Earlier notes Matthew 11 with John the Baptist Christ was emphasizing his role on paving the way for the Messiah Jesus The Christ).
With that being said this is the way of the world. Lordship over others and flesh control. We certainly have our roles on earth, not to be used as a control mechanism and in having advantage over others, i.e. "special privileges."
Let's look a bit further concerning James and John, and their mother. Same thing, coming full circle here.
(Matthew 22:20-21) "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."
(Matthew 20:25-28) "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
(Mark 10:42) "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them."
Matthew 20:26,
26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
(Two examples of Godly ambition, selling no one out either. This is a big now as I read many things. Everyone has their own interest that is NEVER defined by those of the world. Yeah Christians heart are pure (right motives according to The LORD, therefore The LORD''s interests).
28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
(There we have it, laying down the flesh lusts in control/power grab. How did Christ give His life? No sin, walking in, through, and aroung with The Holy Spirit. We crucify the flesh. Not having selfish ambition. The other ten were upset and angered, so we see what could of been much discord corrected with God's Word, then bringing peace to the situation, peace of mind).
Okay, to Matthew 18:2,
2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
(This certainly would of been a humbling experience. But yet still that in itself would not get the job done as seen below).
3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(A humbled little child--total and complete dependency from parent(s), and faith in parent teaching basics (like difference in hot or cold, life or death matters, etc). Teachable from the very heart to mind, and want to be taught, respect discipline, hence disciple. Another huge fallacy we have now, that is the world NEEDS to be learning the heart and mind of child according to God, not their foolish made up opinions. As they would become like a child, then able to grow. We also see kids all the time though they might get in a scuffle it's quickly forgotten shaking it off, no grudges, no revenge other than playful (hence the converted at the forgiveness of sins). They go right on playing with an exuberant and cheerful heart, innocent and freely).
4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(Humble (the opposite of pride/high-minded) = lower one's self in mind. Which is automatic if you see someone truly repented to salvation, and then there as a Christian there forth).
No room for error here, the huge contrast here. That stuff that goes on in the way of the world as explained about is a huge "gulf."
(Showing when one thinks they are done learning they will be done as well. No one knows it all. Though we need to have the correct Doctrine and God's plan, or we're done as well. No if's and's, but's, maybe's about it).
5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
(Like your bringing Christ in. Always, always, always, important to protect the babes, they teachable through God's actual Word. How it must viewed in that protection, the lambs).
6But 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."
(A Pastor/preacher/mature Christian. BETTER NOT. It is done quite often causing them to fall, how? Teaching traditions of men, teaching sin is okay (hence the next verse. Which will show but be a part of the next study).
Treating certain people that lived in sin (their living in sin was different), before they had salvation different than everyone else. As Christ just reproved and corrected that thinking). What else would destroy a babe? Teaching/sharing certain things are sin and they are not. But a matter of preference.
It is better they had like an anchor and tossed overboard to the bottom where the sea dwellers, and bottom crap feeders hang. Looks like some Pastors/preachers/those mature better things take a lot more seriously.
How serious? This is the most feared way to die (after that cross in torture and agony for hours and hours), drowning in asphyxiation (same way Christ died on that cross) suffocation as one goes lower and lower helplessly.
They need to ask for forgiveness through repentance towards The LORD, and those you sin against, or satan is or will be with them, it's anger without cause and steeped in unforgivness from a hard(ened) heart.
Reference: 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"!
And we'll leave it there.
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