Apicontent

“Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together. And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ Jesus said to him, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.’” —Matthew 22:34–40

Have you ever wondered what God really desires from us? Well, in these verses it is made perfectly clear: Love God, love others. This sounds simple enough until we start living it out. First of all, to love God is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit within us. And while it is perhaps easier for us to imagine ourselves loving God rightly and wholeheartedly, loving others is often extremely difficult.

Not just the ones we consider our friends; the nice ones, the ones who value our opinion, the ones who appreciate us. But the mean ones, the dirty ones, the obnoxious ones, those who make fun of us, or spit in our faces. We are supposed to love all those whom God puts in our path—readily, entirely, wholeheartedly.

In our verses for today, the person who posed the question to Jesus was also in agreement with the answer he received. Mark tells us:

“The expert in the law said to him, ‘That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that he is one, and there is no one else besides him. And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ Then no one dared any longer to question him.” —Mark 12:32–34

Jesus came to fulfill all the requirements for righteousness prescribed in the Old Testament Law. However, Jesus also came to usher in the New Testament law of love. All biblical law is fulfilled in this one word—love. Obedience to God begins with love. Love is to be the motivating factor of our actions.

Paul tells us:

“Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,’ (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” —Romans 13:8–10

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22–23

Love is not a romantic emotion, nor is it fueled by the lust of the flesh or the greed of the eye. The Bible teaches of the love God requires in 1 Corinthians. Paul describes love in its most perfect form:

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside.” —1 Corinthians 13:4–8

The motivation behind our actions is critical. For instance, we can be obedient to God’s Word—motivated by love—and it is a sweet-smelling sacrifice to the Father as well as an experience of a bit of heaven on earth for us. On the other hand, we can dutifully and laboriously fulfill our call to obedience—as the religious hypocrites of Jesus’ day—and be nauseating in His sight. The motive makes the difference. Remember, we love Him because He first loved us!

Become More

“To love God, to serve Him because we love Him, is … our highest happiness … Love makes all labor light. We serve with enthusiasm where we love with sincerity.” —Hannah More

“Love seeks one thing only: the good of the one loved.” —Thomas Merton

Further Reflections

“God loves you as though you are the only person in the world, and He loves everyone the way He loves you.” —Augustine

“The way to disengage the heart from the love of one object is to fasten it in positive love to another. It is not by exposing the worthlessness of the former, but by addressing the worth and excellence of the latter that all old things are to be done away and all things are to become new. The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new one.” —Thomas Chalmers

“For the love of God is broader than the measures of man’s mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.” —Frederick William Faber

“What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ The boy answered, ‘I will not.’ But later he had a change of heart and went. The father went to the other son and said the same thing. This boy answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will? They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, tax collectors and prostitutes will go ahead of you into the kingdom of God! For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe. Although you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.’” —Matthew 21:28–32

In this story, Jesus illustrates the difference in human characters. Some people prove to be better than they promise, others promise better than they prove to be. Think about it … which one are you?

We see the same command delivered to both sons: Son, go and work in the vineyard today. God sets His children to work as heirs, not as slaves. Work was not meant to be a curse, but a blessing! It is a gift from our heavenly Father

I am reminded of Adam’s responsibilities prior to the fall:

“The LORD God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.” —Genesis 2:15

God had no intention for His children to remain shiftless and idle. And He intended for them to enjoy their labor! Work became drudgery only after sin entered the world.

The gospel call to work in God’s vineyard requires modern-day believers to be obedient as well. We are to bring the love and truth of Christ to all those we come in contact with. Our time has not been given to us in order that we aimlessly waste it away. Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples and that directive carries with it His authority, affection, and ability. There is work to be done in God’s kingdom!

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest-ready fields.’” —Matthew 9:37–38

In the parable, the two son’s responses are very different. The first son responds with a flat denial to his father’s wishes. An excuse is bad enough, but a downright “no” is even worse. Often people refuse the call of the Father, initially choosing to follow worldly pursuits or pleasures. Here, the first son denies his father’s directive, yet reconsiders, repents, and produces fruit in keeping with repentance. To be sure, “better late than never.” God graciously and patiently waits on us despite our former poor choices. Indeed, He rises to show us compassion:

“For this reason the LORD is ready to show you mercy; he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you. Indeed, the LORD is a just God; all who wait for him in faith will be blessed.” —Isaiah 30:18

The second son responds with respect and professed obedience, yet is dishonest and unfaithful. To be sure, saying and doing are two separate matters.

Many say the right words, but their heart goes in a different direction. We must back up our words with what we do.

Become More

“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in paying it. For God takes no pleasure in fools: Pay what you vow! It is better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay it.” —Ecclesiastes 5:4–5

Further Reflections

“Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.” —G.K. Chesterton

“For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.” —Ephesians 2:10

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those following shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest!’ As he entered Jerusalem the whole city was thrown into an uproar, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” —Matthew 21:8–11

In these verses we see Jesus in a triumphant and festal procession to Jerusalem. Normally, the Master retreated from such limelight—no earthly pomp and splendor for Him. Indeed, at the height of his popularity John tells us when the people saw His works and wanted to make Him King, He withdrew.

“Now when the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus performed, they began to say to one another, ‘This is certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’ Then Jesus, because he knew they were going to come and seize him by force to make him king, withdrew again up the mountainside alone.” — John 6:14–15

The kingdom would be given to Him by His Father only in His perfect timing and not by the world and what they deemed to be the hour of opportunity.

The people in Jesus’ day knew He claimed to be the Messiah and those in our verses for today believed that He was the coming Savior. When we believe something, we act upon it. Our actions demonstrate what we believe to be true. The words the people shouted were from the Messianic Psalm 118 which spoke of the Coming One. They credited these Messianic titles to Jesus.

As Jesus made His way to Jerusalem riding on a colt of a donkey—a symbol of peace, not war—the people spread their cloaks on the road so that He could ride on them. They waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” Palm branches were symbols of victory, liberty, and joy. The word “Hosanna” is from the Hebrew word “save.” It was originally a prayer addressed to God meaning “O save us now,” and later came to be used as a shout of praise as “Hallelujah.” Notice that Jesus did not stop or retreat from this celebration:

Everyone seemed to take notice of Him! Some watched with wonder, some laughed over His humbleness, some perhaps expressed joy, and there were even some (probably the Pharisees) who were filled with envy and indignation.

There were, and still are, many responses of the human heart toward Jesus and His coming kingdom.

Become More

“If thou makest a profession of being a child of God, if thou art a believer, and thinkest and believest religion is the best, the service of God most desirable, I do not come to plead with thee because of any advantage thou wouldst get by being holy; it is on this ground that I put it, that the Lord is God; and if he be God, it is thy business to serve him. If his gospel be true, and thou believest it to be true, it is thy duty to carry it out.” —Charles H. Spurgeon

Further Reflections

“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.” —Corrie Ten Boom

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. Commend all to God, and then lie still and be at rest in His bosom. Whatever happens, abide steadfast in a determination to cling simply to God … Maintain a holy simplicity of mind, and do not smother yourself with a host of cares, wishes, or longings, under any pretext.” —St. Francis de Sales

“Now when they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, telling them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you. Right away you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, “The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: ‘Tell the people of Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, unassuming and seated on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”’” —Matthew 21:1–5

Jesus traveled a lot by foot—dusty roads, weary steps, and dirty feet were all His companions as He went about doing good. And yet, in our verses for today, as Jesus ventures towards suffering and death, He chooses to ride in triumph. He gives two of His disciples clear directives—even to the point of supplying them with a response to a question they will be asked. Jesus, of course, had full knowledge of where His disciples would find the donkey and its colt. It is important to remember that when Jesus directs us to do something, He will make the way clear and provide the supplies we need—we can count on it! Nothing is too difficult for Him:

The prophecy Christ fulfills in the key passage for today is presented to us in Zechariah:

“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! Look, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” —Zechariah 9:9

In Bible times, when a king arrived, he was typically met with great pomp and fanfare. The king arrived in the city as a conqueror, riding on a horse. Something magnificent was expected! Yet there was nothing of that here. Jesus comes gentle and riding on a donkey, even the colt of a donkey. In lieu of majesty, Christ’s glory appears in His meekness and humbleness. His temperament was mild and He was willing to suffer the greatest injuries and indignities for mankind’s cause. The Creator stooped, came down, and died for those He created—willingly. He was easily entreated, His government was lovingly gentle and mild, and His yoke easy. This all was all particularly evidenced by His humble appearance on a donkey, a creature used for service not for show, for burdens of not for battles—slow, sure, constant, steady, and safe.

Jesus models for us true humility.

Become More

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” —Matthew 11:28–30

Further Reflections

“The truly wise are those whose souls are in Christ.” —Ambrose

“Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 2:3–5

“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling down she asked him for a favor. He said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She replied, ‘Permit these two sons of mine to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He told them, ‘You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’” —Matthew 20:20–23

Ignorance fueled by presumption and selfish ambition caused John and James to have their mother approach the Master with a request for their honor. Granted, these two were part of Jesus’ inner circle, and yet, they were continually missing the mark. In our verses for today, it was the mark of humility.

Jesus had recently spoken to them about this very subject when His disciples were found arguing over whom would be the greatest in the coming kingdom.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, had him stand among them, and said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven! Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” —Matthew 18:1–4

Jesus was trying to instill in his followers the understanding that humility before God and man is a virtue every disciple needs to embrace. It is an essential attitude of our hearts. Humility is a correct estimation of self. To be overly preoccupied with self will eventually cause our downfall.

Paul’s challenge to us comes to mind:

“Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself.” —Philippians 2:3

Without question, “selfish ambition” is not of the Spirit. “Vanity” is often its root cause. Paul gives us a list of some of the obvious acts of the sinful nature in Galatians of which selfish ambition is included:

“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!” —Galatians 5:19–21

John and James desired to be men of rank in Jesus’ coming kingdom—those possessing authority and power. Simply put, they were seeking honor. They had no idea what they were asking. They imagined their worldly warfare was ending rather than scarcely beginning. Perhaps they assumed if they had their mother approach Jesus He would acquiesce to their wishes.

We do not know what we are asking for when we seek the glory of the crown. That kind of glory always requires the pain of the cross. Jesus patiently reminds James and John of the cup of suffering He is to drink from and graciously asks them if they are willing to drink from this cup as well. Jesus came as the Suffering Servant because of us, because of our need.

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.” —Luke 9:23–24

Become More

“The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time.” —Tim Keller

Further Reflections

“For as long as a man is not emptied of himself and of his own righteousness and goodness, he will have a legal spirit. A spirit of pride in one’s own righteousness, morality, holiness, affection, experience, faith, humiliation or any other goodness, is a legal spirit … It is even possible to have a self-righteous spirit about one’s own humility and to be self-confident about one’s own abasement … But he whose heart is subject to Christian humility has a very different attitude … Christians who are real saints and the greatest in the Kingdom … humble themselves as a little child … They look upon themselves as children in grace.” —Jonathan Edwards

“Humility is nothing else but a true knowledge and awareness of oneself as one really is.” —The Cloud of Unknowing

“And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:6–7

“As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve aside privately and said to them on the way, ‘Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the experts in the law. They will condemn him to death.’” —Matthew 20:17–19

One would certainly be incorrect in saying that Jesus did not prepare His disciples ahead of time for His betrayal, beatings, death, and resurrection. It’s just that they didn’t seem to really get it. Perhaps they simply did not want to believe His warnings. We find earlier in Matthew Jesus’ words to them regarding what was about to take place—verifying once more that Jesus was not taken by surprise by anything that happened. He willingly gave of Himself to save us.

“For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.” —Matthew 12:40

“From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him: ‘God forbid, Lord! This must not happen to you!’” —Matthew 16:21–22

“When they gathered together in Galilee, Jesus told them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.’ And they became greatly distressed.” —Matthew 17:22–23

Surely, Jesus was in control of His life. No one took it from Him—He willingly gave it. He was sacrificially obedient to the will of God. His death was wholly voluntary and on our behalf. He was not a helpless pawn unable to save himself. John records our Lord’s words proclaiming His Sovereign authority over His own destiny:

“This is why the Father loves me—because I lay down my life, so that I may take it back again. No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This commandment I received from my Father.” —John 10:17–18

Freedom is costly is it not? The Lord Jesus paid the greatest price for our freedom—ransoming our souls from the pit of Hell through His death on the cross. Christ—the Great Liberator—came to set the captives free from the bondage of sin and death. He liberated us from chains of decay and brought us into the glorious freedom.

Paul warns us against our being yoked again to slavery. As believers we are to stand firm in the freedom and liberty that Christ has fully and completely provided. We are not to choose to live a life of slavery to sin:

“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” —Galatians 5:1

God’s mighty strength sustains us, supports us, and holds us steady, lifting us high above the fears and concerns that drag us down. His hand has us firmly and lovingly in its grasp. This is the hand of the One who cherishes us, the One who died for us.

Become More

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you—yes, I help you—yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!” —Isaiah 41:10

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” —1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Further Reflections

“Costly grace is the Gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son. ‘Ye were bought at a price,’ and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the incarnation of God.” —Dietrich Bonheoffer

“If there be ground for you to trust your own righteousness, then all that Christ did to purchase salvation … is vain.” —Jonathan Edwards

“Now someone came up to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ ‘Which ones?’ he asked. Jesus replied, ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.” —Matthew 19:16–22

This encounter between Jesus and a young man has far more to do with our desires than our dollars, contrary to what we might perhaps believe. In this encounter, Jesus points to what is on the throne of our lives, and our willingness or unwillingness to relinquish our rights of it to the One who has all rights to it. Money, people, things, fame, acceptance, work, perfection, family, beauty, and whatever else is important to us are not intrinsically bad. However, it is the priority placed upon them which can make them wrong. Jesus calls us to be “one thing” people. Everything in our lives is to fall under Him. He created us; He knows perfectly well what we need.

We are all capable of deluding ourselves into thinking our desires are right and good. “The heart is deceitful” (Jeremiah 17:9) Scripture tells us. The rich young ruler in the passage of scripture for today is a good example. He was humble in approaching the Master. He was apparently earnest in seeking to do what was right. Yet he misses the selfishness of his own heart, and when faced with the realization of it and Jesus’ desire of his release from it, he becomes sorrowful. He just does not seem able to let go of his desires—no matter what he had expressed earlier.

Scripture gives us several examples of “one thing” people who had their priorities right: God first and everything else under Him.

David writes:

“I have asked the LORD for one thing—this is what I desire! I want to live in the LORD’S house all the days of my life, so I can gaze at the splendor of the LORD and contemplate in his temple.” —Psalm 27:4

Luke tells us about Mary, Martha’s sister:

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.’” —Luke 10:38–42

Paul writes regarding himself in Philippians:

“I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.” —Philippians 3:12–15

Become More

“I know what it’s like to say you’re trying to help someone even though you’re well aware it was really a halfway-decent excuse to satisfy something in yourself. —Angie Smith

“The gift of Christ reveals the Father’s heart. It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil’ (Jeremiah 29:11). It declares that while God’s hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift.  The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me.” —Ellen G. White

Further Reflections

“You shall have no other gods before me” —Exodus 20:3

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. —Matthew 6:31–33

“We sin because our longings are so strong at the operational level—not at the verbal level, where we confess ‘Jesus is Lord’—we feel that something in addition to Jesus is necessary for our happiness and well-being. We will never find the full freedom promised in the gospel if all we want from Jesus is relief.” —James Wilhoit

“Then little children were brought to him for him to lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded those who brought them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ And he placed his hands on them and went on his way.” —Matthew 19:13–15

The compassion, kindness, and gentleness of the Lord Jesus towards the little children shine forth so brightly in this passage!

I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s charge to us in Colossians as well to demonstrate these virtues:

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” —Colossians 3:12

These virtues are also included in the listing of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22–23

In our verses for today, not driven by any particular need other than the desire for Christ to bless them, we find parents bringing their little ones to Jesus simply in order for Him to lay His hands on them in prayer. Their actions demonstrate a great respect for Jesus as well as a high value on His favor and blessing. In other places in scripture, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus in dire need of healing. Yet it appears that the parents described here sought only His blessing.

We cannot do anything better for our children than to commit them to the Lord Jesus. It is His blessing that will guide, lead, and help them. There is no higher ground. We are to trust in the Lord and His direction. He alone can answer the prayers of the heart as well as fully satisfy all inward longings and desires.

King David writes:

“Trust in the LORD and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity! Then you will take delight in the LORD, and he will answer your prayers. Commit your future to the LORD! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf. He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause.” —Psalm 37:3–6

The disciples frowned on the actions of these parents. They didn’t think Jesus had time for children. They saw these parents as being troublesome instead of seeing them with the eyes of Jesus. We are never to discourage any person from seeking the Lord Jesus! No one is ever a nuisance to Him. It displeases Jesus when we turn away anyone who is seeking Him. He remains ever ready to receive them!

Become More

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5–6

Further Reflections

“Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love Thou art.” —Charles Wesley

“For the love of God is broader than the measures of man’s mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.” —Frederick William Faber

“It is rare that Christians earnestly seek the Lord’s face when things are going swimmingly, when material blessings abound and we seem to be protected from the vicissitudes faced by others. But in the blackness of discouragement, when we are harassed and downcast, we may indeed turn to the Lord and acknowledge our helplessness apart from his grace; we may do so knowing that God is a compassionate God and that Jesus’ compassion was particularly directed toward the harassed and the helpless.” —D. A. Carson

“For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. As he began settling his accounts, a man who owed ten thousand talents was brought to him. Because he was not able to repay it, the lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed, and repayment to be made. Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.’ The lord had compassion on that slave and released him, and forgave him the debt.
“After he went out, that same slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him one hundred silver coins. So he grabbed him by the throat and started to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ Then his fellow slave threw himself down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you.’ But he refused. Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until he repaid the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very upset and went and told their lord everything that had taken place. Then his lord called the first slave and said to him, ‘Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me! Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?’ And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him until he repaid all he owed.
“So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.” —Matthew 18:23–35

In this parable Jesus makes it perfectly clear that we need to forgive others. Perhaps it would be a helpful reminder to review a few verses that talk about sin in order to remember the extraordinary forgiveness God has demonstrated towards us.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” —Romans 3:23

“For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 6:23

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:6–8

“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” —Romans 10:8–11

God has every right to put us to shame. Yet He chose to let His Son die for us instead! Certainly none of us would like to hear that we would be tortured until we could repay our debt, a debt that would take us all eternity to repay. In the parable, the unforgiving servant owed his Master a huge amount, yet his fellow servant only owed him a mere silver coin. Jesus is making His point crystal clear. The first servant had been forgiven all and he should have forgiven all. A child of the King has all of their sins forgiven and therefore we are to willingly forgive all from the heart.

Jesus teaches us to forgive others when they have wronged us and to seek forgiveness when we have wronged them. We must follow our Lord’s example. He extended to us the ultimate pardon—the forgiveness of our sins. His forgiveness is so thorough, so complete, so encompassing, it is as if He looks at us as though we have never sinned. Shouldn’t we, as Jesus stated, have mercy on others as He has had mercy on us?

Become More

“Do you wish to receive mercy? Show mercy to your neighbor.” —John Chrysostom

Further Reflections

“If there is the tiniest grudge in your mind against anyone, your spiritual penetration into the knowledge of God stops.” —Oswald Chambers

“Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan.” —John Chrysostom

“The more godly any man is, the more merciful that man will be.” —Thomas Brooks

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others with you, so that at the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, treat him like a Gentile or a tax collector.” —Matthew 18:15–17

Wouldn’t it be far more civil and compassionate—not to mention more merciful, loving, and obedient—if when offended by a brother or sister in Christ, believers would observe our Lord’s instructions presented in our verses for today? Instead, when offence occurs, we oftentimes unforgivingly run straight to everyone else. We love to talk about the wrong doing, and get in our version of how we were wronged, instead of lovingly going first to the offender. We are often likely to head for people we know who will be sympathetic to our case, building an alliance to defame and shame those who have hurt us. Hatred and hurt and anger fester and bleed and ultimately produce bitterness. This unwillingness to forgive, and a desire for revenge, bring us much harm.

Paul tells us in Romans:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” —Romans 12:17–21

Jesus gives us good reason for forgiveness in the Sermon on the Mount earlier in Matthew:

“For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.” —Matthew 6:14–15

Jesus’ words today include any disagreement or quarrel among Christians. It is important to preserve Christ’s church with purity, peace, and order. Those around us must know us by the love we have for one another.

We have been freely forgiven and—and we are to freely forgive. We are to look at each offense through merciful eyes, knowing that we often offend as well.

However, it is not loving, kind, or helpful to simply gloss over matters of offence, perhaps pretending they never happened. If the offence is an ongoing pattern in another believer’s life, we must work out our conflict with the love of Christ. Does it help someone to allow them to continue in an unkind or impudent manner? We are not to wait for them to come to us; rather we are to prayerfully go to them, seeking to settle matters quickly. Sins are prone to silence the conscience of those indulging in them and oftentimes help is needed to arouse it.

The approach should always be from a sinner to a sinner. The rebuke must be loving, prayerful, and private. No human is perfect. All believers in Jesus are in the process of being transformed and, as Scripture states, mercy triumphs over judgment. We must, in faithfulness, meekness, and love, present the offence privately. We should never be seeking shame for a brother or sister. Repentance is the goal and always for the good of the offender.

“Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.” —James 2:12–13

Jesus goes deeper. If the sin continues, two or three others are to be taken along in an effort to reason the case further with the offender ever seeking his good. God’s work is to be done effectively with as little noise as possible.

“A single witness may not testify against another person for any trespass or sin that he commits. A matter may be legally established only on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” —Deuteronomy 19:15

Become More

Only if our brother or sister staunchly refuses to work out the matter is the church is to get involved in order to examine the matter. Here again, the outcome desired is repentance and restitution of relationship. Ultimately, the offender is not to be looked upon as an outcast, but as one who is in a position to be received and restored. Remember, the shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep and went looking for the one who needed restoration.

Further Reflections

An unwillingness to forgive and a desire for revenge bring us much harm.

“I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.” —John 13:34–35