Not better, included / Matt 18:1-14

When we have thoughts of who we are better than, alarms need to sound, off limits signs need to pop up in our head. This is not an attitude of the kingdom of God and even separates us from what God is doing in the world since it is so foreign to his character.
When the disciples asked about who was better, Jesus told them they would need to be like children. Children, in that culture, did’t have rank or position or voice. Jesus would have us take on the same stance. It’s a warning. If you want to be in relationship with God and be a part of what he is doing, you will have to be glad to be included and anxious to learn from Jesus, not be the expert.
Jesus then lets them, and us, see the danger of such an attitude. It leaves people out. There is nothing worse in God’s ordering of things than leaving someone out. We give up on people and think they are too far gone. God’s main perspective is always to draw people back in.
Nothing is worse than doing something that separates people from their God, or keeps them from having the chance to find him. The corollary is that it is also horrible for us to be working in opposition to God by having an attitude of superiority or status and separate ourselves from Him.
It is important not to think God is anxious to punish people who think a lot of themselves. That is to miss the point here. The Lord God wants us and the people we rub shoulders with to know him and learn from him and walk with him and be included in his family and his work in the world. That’s the only position and status needed. We are his and we are included in him and part of his kingdom. Glory to the God of inclusion through Jesus!

Created 11 months ago