The disciples came to Jesus and asked him who the greatest is in the kingdom of heaven. I’d venture a guess that it’s god but that’s just me. So JC calls a little kid over and puts him in the middle of the group. He says to get into the kingdom of heaven you have to be converted and become like little children. Whoever humbles themselves as this little kid is the same as the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever collects one of these children in my name, receives me. But if you offend one of these little ones who believe in me, you would better off if he had a millstone around his neck or was drown in the sea. Woe to the world because of your offenses! Because although offences must come, woe to the man who brings the offences.
Yikes. I always hate the we should be as children metaphors, as if kids are all innocent and perfect. But really the children in that story end up being his followers and we have to be careful not to offend them? Sigh…
If your hand or foot offends them, cut them odd and cast them away, it’s better to be maimed than have two hands or two feet and be case into the everlasting fire! And if you eye has offended them, pluck it out, it’s better to go through life with one eye than have two in hells fires! But don’t despise these little ones, for I’m telling you that in heaven their angels always observe the face of my father in heaven.
Really, I don’t know how we can’t despise these folks a little bit, we have to worry about offending them all the time, and they can send us to hell even if we are only a little evil.
I come to save what is lost. If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them strays, doesn’t the man leave the ninety nine sheep and go look for the stray sheep. If he finds the sheep he’s lost he’s happier to see that sheep than the other sheep that never strayed.
It’s not God’s will that these little ones should perish. If your brother trespasses against you, let him know the fault is between the two of you alone, if hears you, you‘ve gained a brother. But if he doesn’t hear you, bring a couple of people with you so he might be persuaded. If he doesn’t hear them, tell it to the church, if he doesn’t listen to the church well then let him be a heathen or a publican. Publicans are the lowest of the low.
Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be lost heaven. And then there is a confusing line about if two of you agree on earth touching anything that you ask, it shall be done in heaven. If there are two or three of you then I’m in the middle of you.
Peter need quantification here and asks How many time can my brother sin against me that I still forgive him? Maybe seven times? JC answers, not seven times but seventy seven times!
The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who takes account of his servants. One of these servants owed him ten thousand talents, but he didn’t have enough money to pay him back. So the king commanded him to be sold along with his wife and kids. Well the servant fell down and worshipped him and begged him to have patience, he would pay him back. The lord was moved and forgave him the debt. So that servant left and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence, and he took him the throat and said pay me what you owe me! So his fellow servant fell on his knees and begged for him to have patience, and that little hypocrite sends his coworker there to jail! What a jerk! His fellow servants saw what he did and told their lord what happened. The king called his wicked servant over and yelled him. I forgave you for your debt, how could you not have compassion for your coworker? I’ll have to turn you over to your tormentors for this. I’m not sure if that means he sold the wife and kids too.
And that’s how God will treat you if you don’t forgive your brother’s trespasses.
I give up. I'm going to hell. It's settled. And, you know, if I offend you, what are you going to do send me to Hell more often. I'm already going for eternity. Good luck to ya!
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