“About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.”
Matthew 18:1-10 NLT
v.11 is omitted from the new living translation because it wasn't in the earliest manuscripts of the book of Matthew, which translators use to develop modern English Bibles. it is now a footnote in the biblical text, which says: And the Son of Man came to save those who are lost.“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.”
Matthew 18:12-14 NLT
People inside and outside the Church have high expectations for the Church, the people of God. This chapter is the fourth major teaching section in Matthew; it is called “The Church Chapter” because Jesus lays out His vision for His people. Based on this chapter, a church would not be measured by its music, preaching, programs, cool factor, or facilities. A church should be measured on making disciples who love and obey Jesus, which includes humility (v.4), renouncing the power games of the world, reaching out to the next generation, possessing a deep love for people, and running after lost people. Is this how you evaluate a good church?
The only thing the church should be against is sin. The business of the church is helping people turn to God and turn away from what is wrong. We must be those who can look at ourselves honestly and see what needs to be changed, and be transformed through God’s love, grace, power, and forgiveness. God's people should also be marked by a deep love for people, especially children and outcasts. We fight sin not by running away from sinners but by running to them. We sacrifice to reach the lost and see them safe in God’s love and in community. This is God’s dream for His people. We are not perfect, but the Church is part of God’s plan, and He has not given up on us. Jesus made the Church, and this is where we belong. As imperfect as we are, we point to the only One who is perfect; He fulfills all we need as humans.
Does your evaluation of church line up with this chapter? How can you help the church live out its God-given mission?
