122. The little
children- Matt. 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17
-The multitudes were bringing their children (even their
babies, Luke 18:15) to Jesus so that He may lay hands on them and bless them.
The disciples thought this would be a bother to the Master and culturally it
was an unacceptable practice to give the young ones any dignity such as this.
However, the Christ called for them and remarked that the Kingdom of God
belongs to such as these (children). He went on to say that unless one accepts
the Kingdom of God “like a child” they will not enter it at all. What could
Jesus possibly have meant by such a saying? For us to answer that question we
must consider the attributes of children and how they respond to the things of
God. Consider these qualities of children and their relationship to the
Kingdom:
1) Humility- There is no place in the
Kingdom of God for those who trust in themselves (previous) or those who
believe they can earn or work their way to Heaven (after). The ones who are
low, who will humble themselves and seek the LORD, will be accepted (Matt.
18:4). We must give up our rights and our pride to come to this Savior, there
is no other way. It is a death to self and these children were willing. A
nothing to lose mentality.
2) Dependence- That these were (and still
are) the ones that cast their dependence on the LORD. Little ones know that
they can’t do it by themselves. They need help and are willing to allow those
more capable to assist them in what they need done.
3) Faith- They have faith and trust in the
LORD much more than adults. (Warning on causing them to stumble Matt. 18:6)
4) Purity- They are less tainted by the
world, closer to the image of God that He created us to be, they are more pure
(although there is ample evidence of a sin nature)
5) Freedom from worldly desires- Little
ones have a special enthusiasm for the things of God, a joy in the little
things, don’t worry about things as much (Matt. 6 on being anxious, Matt. 6:33
“Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness; and all these things shall be
added to you)
6) Persistence- Like the persistent widow
(Luke 18:1-8), children don’t know when to quit asking. They keep at it until
they get their way.
There could be many more qualities, but I think we are
beginning to get the point Jesus was making. *Application* Where are you at in
your quest for the Kingdom of God?
1) Have
you become as a child?
2) Have
you humbled yourself as a child?
3) Are
you completely dependent on the Lord?
4) Do
you have the faith of a child?
5) Do
you hunger and thirst after righteous?
Verse to Memorize-
Luke 18:17
123. The rich young man-
Matt. 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27, Luke 18:18-27
-The rich young ruler approached Jesus as He was setting out
on a journey with an important question. “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” he asked. This is the heart of every
religious system of works. His misperception was that he could earn eternal
life in his own power and by his own way. It was the same as the pious
Pharisees that Jesus often encountered. In actuality, the rich man was breaking
every single one of the Ten Commandments that he professed to keep. He broke the
first four because he had the idol of money in his heart toward God. The last
six, which deal with how we love our neighbor, were broken because he was
unwilling to share his wealth. Jesus succinctly and acutely pointed out his sin
with love (Mark 10:21) and invited him to give up the old way of life for the
new in following Him with complete abandon. This he was unwilling to do because
of his wealth and property and went away grieving, still lost in his sins.
Jesus teaches that inheritance in the Kingdom of God is impossible with men,
but with God it really is possible. *Application* This is a stark reminder to
us about where our affection is. Do we really love God above everything and
people as much as ourselves? Consider the love of Christ and give it all up for Him and His glory just as
the true disciples did. He will add all these other things unto you when you do
(Matthew 6:33). Come follow Him!
Verse to Memorize-
Mark 10:21
124. Jesus’ promise
to the disciples- Matt. 19:27-30, Mark 10:28-31, Luke 18:28-30
-As the rich young ruler, who rejected the call of Christ,
departs Peter remarks how they had left everything behind to follow the Messiah
and asks what is in it for them (the disciples). Jesus tells them that in the
regeneration (the new world, glorification) when He sits on His glorious
throne, that they will also have twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of
Israel. “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or
mother or children or farms for My Name’s sake, will receive many times as much
along with persecutions, and will inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:29, Mark
10:30).” Then He said that many who are first will be last and many who are
last will be first. In other words, this earth is not the end of the story.
*Application* Jesus never promised ease in this life and we should not expect
it in an earthly sense even though there is promise that what we give up will
come back to us in greater measure. There will be persecution and hardship, so
count up the cost of becoming a disciple before you jump into His Kingdom work.
There will be times of struggle, but we as His children fight through the victory
that is assured to us. God never fails though tests and trials may come for the
purpose of drawing us ever closer to Him. God is faithful and keeps all of His
good promises (Joshua 21:45).
Verse to Memorize-
Matthew 19:29
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