Matthew 18 - Parable of the Lost Sheep

Jesus show us how to be a good servant of God and a good Christian. It shows teachers of the Word; to be humble, patient, not to offend, and to mildly correct when necessary.

 1At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Asking Christ which one of them would be the greatest in heaven. Mark tells us a little bit on how they led up to this question. (Mark 9:33-34). When they were on the road to Capernaum with Jesus, the disciples were arguing among themselves about who would be the greatest. Typical among men, always wanting to be the most important. Typical among churches, always wanting to be the only true church. "Peter established our church, well Paul established our church." Don't you think that the lesson Christ will be teaching here applies to the churches also? Of course it does... No one church or ministry is greater than the other, "they only think they are." We are all part of the many member body of Christ. (Different strokes for different folks).

 2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, This would be a lesson to the disciples. Why a little child? Because they are wide-eyed and innocent, ready to absorb knowledge like a sponge.

 3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. For the lost sinner, you must turn to God from your sins and become as little children. (Clean slate to start with). For the Christian; you need to get rid of all the excess spiritual baggage. (Religious junk, false teachings, and traditions of men cluttering your mind). "Empty your mind, so it can be filled with truth." Just as a child has a fresh mind, we should also be the same in absorbing the truth of His Word.

 4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Again, Jesus uses a little child as an example. The disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest. Jesus called the child and put him in the middle of the group. The child would be the least likely in the group to be called the greatest. But Jesus tells them that they should be more like the child "the least in the group." (Then you will be the greatest in the kingdom). God loves it when you humble yourself as a child. (Luke 14:11, James 4:10).

 5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. To be humble and kind to others when it is possible. Sometimes we don't realize that their may be great works ahead for one of Gods children in the ministry. We may not pay attention to the "humble ones" who might have more knowledge and truth than the rest of the congregation. Most churches are always looking to bring in more people, Jesus is looking for that one child (humble one), to bring forth the truth in His Word.

 6But 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. This word offend here is "scandalize" in the Greek #4624 (to trip-up or entice to sin). If you cause someone to trip-up, or lose their faith, you are asking for trouble. God will not allow people to pick on His children.

 7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! There is always temptations in the world to do wrong, but someone who does the tempting or causes another to fall is in big trouble. This happens many times when someone becomes a bad or evil teacher. BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS! (2 Peter 2:2).

 8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. This represents the many member body of the church, not to physically cut off a human limb. If you have false teachers or troublemakers within the church, cut them off and get rid of them. (Those who are into false teachings and traditions of men).

 9And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Those who claim to be prophets. God has shown us all things through the prophets in His Word. There is no need for modern day prophets. Christ should be the eye of the church to stay focused on. Again, this is not about mutilating yourself. It is about doing whatever it takes to get the sin out of the church, as well as the individual.

 10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. The "little ones," children of God. Those who God has called to serve Him. If you are serving God, there are angels who will watch over you. (Psalm 91:11). We call them Guardian Angels.

 11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Christ came to save the lost sinner. Never be afraid to hang around sinners; Christ did. He came for the lost, "not the saved." (Matthew 9:12-13, Luke 19:10).

 12How think ye? 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? Just a natural reaction to go off and save the lost one because of our compassion.

 13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Rejoices because he found the lost one. Just as the angels rejoice when another lost soul is saved.

 14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. It is Gods will to save all the lost. (II Peter 3:9).

 15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. If a brother or sister sins against you, go to them in private and confront them peacefully. If they admit it and apologize, you have won back a friend.

 16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If they do not listen and deny it, then take along two witnesses with you. (To establish what is being said).

 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. If they still do not listen, take it to the church, and if they refuse to hear the church, take them to court.

 18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Whatever you hold onto on earth will be held in heaven and what you forgive on earth will be forgiven in heaven. (Matthew 16:19, John 20:23).

 19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. We are speaking of those who serve God. Those asking for spiritual gifts and knowledge. (Things to further the ministry). Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16). Keep in mind, "Christ does the calling." Therefore, when you want to further something in the ministry, ask in "Jesus name" and the Heavenly Father will supply what you need. (John 14:13-14).

 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. In Jesus name! This means doing the work of God. Gathered together to bring forth the word. "God is right there among you." God will supply you with what is important to the ministry.

 21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? In the old law you were to forgive someone three times. Peter pumped himself up a little and said he would forgive someone seven times. (Luke 17:3-4). Peter though he was going beyond what most would do.

 22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. In other words, if someone wrongs you and they repent, forgive them, no matter how many times they sin against you. It may take some time to build trust with that person again, but if they repent, forgive them. (Matthew 6:14-15, Mark 11:25-26, Romans 12:21, Ephesians 4:26, Colossians 3:13).

 23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. The king wanted to bring his accounts up to date. (Collect what is owed to him).

 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. Ten thousand: Strong's G3463 "murioi" meaning "innumerably or countless." A talent is around 750 ounces of silver or gold. (Approximately $4,500,000 in silver or $72,000,000 in gold). This immense sun represents our boundless obligations to God, and our utter incapacity, as sinners infinitely indebted to Divine justice, of paying one mite out of the talent. (Psalm 38:4).

 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. Cleaned him out; the master ordered him sold along with his wife, children, and everything he owned.

 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. He was willing to pay the debt if he had more time.

 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. The king was filled with compassion and forgave his debt. Our Heavenly Father has a lot compassion and patients towards us, that we all come to repentance. (Psalm 145:8, 1 John 1:9, 2 Peter 3:9). He forgives our mountain of debt know as sin!

 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. After this guys huge debt was forgiven by the king, he went out and tried to collect about $2,000 that was owed to him. He went as far as to grab the guy by the neck and demanded payment. (What a guy).

 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. This fellow servant was also willing to pay the debt if he was given a little time.

 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. The greedy man would not wait and cast him into prison till the debt was paid.

 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. The mans friends were upset and went and told the king what had just happened.

 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: The king called the man before him and told him; "You evil hearted servant!" I forgave you all that tremendous debt, just because you asked me to.

 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? Shouldn't you have mercy on others as I had on you.

 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. The angry king sent the man to the torture chamber until he had paid every last penny due. (Its the rack for him)!

 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. The Heavenly Father shall do the same to those who do not forgive their brothers and sisters in Christ. Christ gave us this example to show us how important it is to forgive others just as we are forgiven by our Heavenly Father for our sins. If we repent, we are forgiven. If someone repents for a wrong they have committed against us, we should forgive them. The deeper meaning of this parable refers back to verse 22, about forgiving 490 times. If a brother, sister, family member, or friend does you wrong and repents, forgive them. However, don't be a fool. If they keep doing you wrong over and over again and don't repent, you no longer need to forgive them. Forgive yourself and stay away from them. (You don't want it eating at you to make you miserable). You are not the one who is wrong here, they were. I have had personal experience with family members and friends who would just try to always make a fool out of me by conning and lying all the time. I would forgive them, but it would keep going on and would make me upset at times. Finally, I had to step up and put them aside in order for me to get on with my own life. I am sure many of you have experienced the same thing.

Keep the faith,
Barton