March 03, 2025 | Be God's Family
The Disciples Argue About Who is the Greatest
Scripture: Matthew 18:1-9(NIV)
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Devotional
The Lord warned his disciples and us about causing others to sin. As parents, churchgoers, and leaders, we can lead our children, new believers, and parishioners to sin.
Two points stood out in this scripture concerning behaviors, faith, and sin: Temptation and Neglect.
A) Temptation: We can fall into traps where we tempt children and new believers to sin by making excuses, accepting wrong social norms, failing to correct them, and preventing Godly change. Moreover, we also have the power to encourage them to resist tempting ideas and not sin. The righteous path is challenging, but the results are not just rewarding; they are life-changing and eternal.
B) Neglect: As parents and churchgoers, we are commissioned to protect our children and new believers from the negative influence of media and peers. Marketers pressure our children to engage in gaming and social trends that could sway them away from God. The Lord commanded us to protect them from temptations and guide them into the right path. Moreover, we are responsible for those youngsters who depend on us for guidance and protection. Similarly, we are accountable for supporting the new believers and demonstrating the right path for them.
What can we do to be stewards of the Lord's blessings (as parents or saved believers) and help others avoid sinning?
Be a good example: As hard-working adults, we have earned the right to enjoy our time gaming, watching sports, and watching movies. All are acceptable, but If we limit the time we engage in such activities and devote some time to serving the Lord, we indirectly teach our children and new believers the value of serving the Lord. By the same token, when we choose appropriate games and movies, we teach our children and new believers how to determine what is good for us as believers and how to resist peer pressure.
Can you reflect on how you can be a good example to others?
Poem
What Greatness
Psalm 131
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.
Psalm 131: 1-2
A fellow pilgrim, walking,
Once posed a ponderous phrase
“Within God’s kingdom glorious
What greatness do you crave?”
I thought this a trick question
As in my heart I knew
That worldly pomp and greatness
Do not Faithful accrue
When I consider who I am
Amidst God’s glory bright
I am but nothing—simple, small—
No greater than a mite
To claim a higher station
Than fellow pilgrims’ place
I am but humbled, realize
Against them, I not race
Instead, my goal—contentment
Within my Father’s will
And thus the station of my heart
“To know,” and soul “be still”
For what lies in my future
Is only what God holds
My one request, dear Father Lord,
To Christ, my being mold
This, then, is Kingdom’s greatness
To walk the Way Christ trod
To live a life obedient
Submitted full to God
