Lessons from Matthew 18: Humility

Continuing His lesson about humility, Jesus went on to say that not only should we be like children, humble in heart, we are to welcome those who are “like children.” This means those the world considers weak, frail, or undeserving.

Jesus cautioned the disciples and us to not think of ourselves higher than we ought, but rather with sober and right judgment. We need to remember that all people have been created in the image of God.

His desire is that all would surrender themselves before Him. And we too need to see and act towards others as God would have us do! This needs to be done in good measure, not esteeming ourselves too high but also not putting ourselves too low. Both are prideful. One is puffed up in pride and the other is pride in saying that God is not able!

So be cautious and careful in how you display true humility!

Jesus said, as His people, as His disciples, we are to welcome little children into our hearts and homes and churches. And when we do, Jesus said we welcome Him.

This is the verse that God used to reveal to me His desire that we adopt our son Matthew. I knew that by welcoming Matthew and all that he was, is, and will be that I was also welcoming Jesus into our lives, our home, and our hearts. And trust me, I by no means have this task of parenting mastered. In fact, I believe more often than not I fail to parent as God asks me to.

But each day, I get up, I confess what I know to be wrong, and what I don’t know. I ask God to help me see Matthew and others in my life with fresh eyes, God’s eyes. And that He teach me and train me in what and how He wants me to teach and train them.

I see how our world treats the little ones around us and my heart is grieved.

My husband just shared with me that a coworker’s daughter is suffering from addiction to drugs and alcohol. She had returned home to get clean and sober because she was pregnant. With no warning, she just got up and left her 4-month-old baby girl in the hands of her grandparents. It seems as if she took off without a care or worry.

Recently, my daughter and her husband had to fight to win custody of my son in-law’s son from a previous relationship. The mother was heavily involved in drugs and alcohol and very disturbing relationships and problems with the law. What this mother was doing to her son in order to get to my daughter and her husband was incomprehensible to me and to others!

Jesus warned in Matthew 18:6 that if anyone causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better for him or her to have a large millstone hung around their neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. As believers we have an obligation to God and to others to help lead them in His paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Often times, this means laying ourselves, our wants and desires, aside that we might help them and encourage them in their walk!

It is not easy, nor was it meant to be, to walk and live on this earth. From the time sin entered in, we have had to labor to do the things God requires of us. Therefore we must fight the good fight. We must lead our children and others in the things of God, teaching them His words and leading them in His ways.

They surely will not get this from the world in which we live!

So what are you doing in order to lead another to or in Christ?

It may be the life of child or a “child in Christ.” Whatever the case, we will be held accountable for our actions or lack thereof!

What do your actions teach others in your presence? Do your actions lead them to Christ and to walk in His ways or away from Him?

We must never take lightly the spiritual education and protection of our young children and people in the faith. We must remove all stumbling blocks that may cause others to sin, as Jesus instructed in verses 7-9.

Our concern for God’s children, both in age and in spirit, must match God’s treatment of them. These precious ones are so important to God that He has assigned angels to watch over them. He also gives them access to His throne in heaven. They are ever before His face and forever in His heart, and we should treat them as He does.

In fact, we are told that if we see a brother or sister in the faith wandering away, we are to go after them.

James 5:20 says,

Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Who is it that God is calling you to go after? How do you do this? And what if this person God is calling you to go after has sinned against you?

These are very good questions! The good news is that Jesus gave us the answers to these things in the next section of Matthew. Stay tuned!

Terri Hamman

Faith & Fitness Coach