Warning: God Loves and Protects His Children (Matthew 18)

Scripture reading – Matthew 18

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

The Spiritual Character of Believers: Greatness Defined (Matthew 18:1-4)

Matthew 18 marks a shift in the focus of Christ’s ministry. For three years, He focused on the great multitudes who followed Him throughout Judaea and Galilee, drawn by His ministry and miracles. With only six months to the Cross, Jesus prepared His disciples for what lay ahead. Though He had spoken plainly of His betrayal, death, and resurrection (Matthew 17:22-23), the disciples proved they were mere men. Falling prey to petty rivalries and jealousy, they came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1).

Jesus answered their question with a simple yet powerful illustration. Taking a small child to Himself, Jesus taught the disciples that a child is a portrait of greatness, clothed in humility (Matthew 18:2-4).

The central truth: True greatness in Christ’s kingdom is defined by humility, not self-exaltation (Matthew 18:4).

God’s Love, Care, and Compassion for His Children (Matthew 18:5-6)

In a world scarred by child abuse and sex trafficking, we have recorded in today’s Scripture a warning from the Lord to all who harm or lead astray the young and naive. Remember the small child Jesus used as an illustration of humility? He then turned His focus to His spiritual children and warned, “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

Admonition: God will protect His children. (Matthew 18:6-7)

The Lord is jealous for the welfare of His people. Yet some, under the guise of “Christian liberty,” lead believers into sin. Jesus warned that when a person mistreats or entices a believer to sin, they invite God’s judgment: “woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” (Matthew 18:7).

Exhortation: Sever Your Sinful Ways (Matthew 18:8-9)

Continuing to teach His disciples and speaking figuratively, Jesus warned that it would be better to go through life maimed (to cut off one’s hand or foot or pluck out one’s eye) than to let that sin lead you into eternal judgment (Matthew 18:8-9). In practical terms, it would be better to live a life of self-sacrifice, deny your flesh the pleasures of sin, and your eyes the lust of the flesh, than to be “cast into everlasting fire…[or] having two eyes to be cast into hell fire” (Matthew 18:8-9).

Compassionate Love (Matthew 18:10-14)

God’s love for His people is evident in His loving care. Unlike the Pharisees, who abused their role among the people, Jesus cautioned His disciples, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones” (Matthew 18:10a). After that, He delivered a powerful lesson in God’s love, grace, and mercy.

Four qualities of love are evident in God’s love for His people.

First, God’s love is proactive. Therefore, Jesus commanded, “despise not one of these little ones” (Matthew 18:10a). The implication is that we are not to dishonor, put down, resent, or consider ourselves better than others. After all, every soul is precious in God’s sight.

Secondly, God’s love is protective. Christ taught that “In heaven their [God’s children’s] angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10b). Ponder that marvelous thought—angels are stationed near God’s throne, waiting for Him to dispatch them to aid and protect His people (though that does not suggest that every believer has a dedicated guardian angel).

God’s love is also personal, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11). The Lord loves His people as a shepherd knows and loves His sheep. “If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?” (Matthew 18:12). Like a good shepherd, Jesus came “to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11).

Finally, God’s love is perpetual, everlasting, and enduring. It is the will of God the Father that not “one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14).

Closing thoughts –

You and I might be seen as disappointing, even failures, in the eyes of others, yet God loves us with the same compassion a shepherd shows his sheep. God’s love for you is proactive, protective, personal, and perpetual.

After all, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).