A PRAYER TO START
Jesus has given those who “understand” the “keys of the kingdom”, a way of living that draws out the treasures of the old stories of God and beauties of what He continues to make new. What a wonderful gift and tremendous calling you have in Christ! An endowment and resolve that compels us to pray with John Ballie and others this prayer…
I bless you, most gracious Father, that again you have brought light out of darkness and caused the morning to appear! I bless you, because you send me out, in health and life, to the duties and activities of another day! Father, I ask you to go with me through all the sunlit hours and protect me from every evil way, so that when evening comes, I do not need to hide my head in shame.
Father, in your gracious love you have called me to be your servant, and I hold myself in readiness today for even your smallest command. Give me the spirit to keep myself in continual training for the prompt fulfillment of your most holy will.
Help me keep the edges of my mind keen;
Help me keep my thinking straight and true;
Help me keep my passion in control;
Help me keep my will active;
Help me keep my body fit and healthy;
Help me remember him whose food it was to do the will of the One who sent him.
O Father of every workplace, bless all who truly desire to serve you by being diligent and faithful in their many callings, bearing their share of the world’s burden and going about their daily tasks with simplicity and uprightness of heart.
Dear Father, I pray –
for all who work on the land and with nature;
for all whose work involves sheer physical labor in factories, building sites, mines, and transport;
for all who buy and sell in the marketplace;
for all who labor with their mind;
for all who labor with their pens and computers;
for all who lead others;
for all who follow their managers;
for all whose work is the caring ministry of home and family.
In your great mercy, save us all from the temptation that constantly surrounds us, bring us to everlasting life, by the power of the cross. Amen.
TAKING A LOOK AHEAD
On any journey, whether a hike in the mountains or a trek to the grocery store, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, to be present. It’s also important to know where you are going! To look up, and take a peek at what is ahead.
This coming week our journey circles back from who we understand Jesus to be and what we perceive he is doing, to how we relate to one another in this kingdom life. The question the disciples ask, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” is answered with a surprising analogy from Jesus. Begging you and I to ask the question, “Who are we in the kingdom?”
Read Matthew 18:1-35. As you are reading take notice and note of the following:
Who are the characters in the story? Explicitly named and those assumed.
Where does the story take place? Physically, & how is it connected to what proceeds it?
What repeats? Words, characters, actions/events, sayings, descriptions, etc.
What surprised you?
What might have surprised the people Matthew was writing to?
What questions does the story raise so far?
CONNECTING THE DOTS
In recent days, Jesus has revealed himself to be not merely a man using the gifts of God to do God’s work, but God himself among us (17:1-13). Thus the authority that Jesus bestows to those who follow him to get-in-on what he is doing (10:1, 16:17-19, 17:14-21) is more than enough to free his disciples from the burdens of self-imposed religious obligations (17:24-27). Indeed, the sons and daughters are “free” (17:26), though this freedom is one not to hold over others but rather to demonstrate the treasure that is the kingdom life (13:51-52).
Naturally, the disciples begin to deliberate amongst themselves exactly how the hierarchy in this new found authority will work out. Which one of them specifically is in charge? Are there classes or rankings of the faithful? And if so, based on what criteria? They have been handed the keys to the kingdom (16:19), and now they are pondering just how to use them. Praise the Lord they ask Jesus before they act! And, Jesus’ response turns their perspective of themselves upside down.
“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.” (18:3-4)
Jesus want’s us to pay attention to this statement. When you read “Truly” or “Truly, truly” in any passage you know a major point is being made to take note of. What is so important to Jesus that the disciples need to understand about the kingdom and their place in it?
What in Jesus’ saying makes us think that kingdom living is a conscious choice, not merely a biological reality (or one that requires no effort on our part)?
In what ways does Jesus’ statement remove from the picture the human concept of hierarchies, rankings, and even comparison?
Jesus uses the description “little ones” three times in chapter 18, all in relation to those who are making life difficult for these children who have received the kingdom. And in the final parable there are two types of characters, the king and the servants.
What can we infer about our place in God’s kingdom from the persons appearing in chapter 18?
Jesus makes another “Truly” statement in verses 18-20. In light of what Jesus has said it takes to enter the kingdom and the two opposing roles (little ones and those who make life hard on the little ones), how are we to relate to one another amidst our own sin and brokenness?
What does this section assume will be apart of our shared life together as "the church"?
How does this section relate to life as a Gospel Community?
Does this chapter remind you of Jesus’ teaching or interactions anywhere else in Matthew’s gospel story?
Why are we to relate to each other in this manner? (think verses 21-35)
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
“I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.”
(John Newton)