Got Questions?

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:

Matthew 18 (click the link)

KEY PASSAGE:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1, NIV)

THE MAIN IDEA:

Do you have a question that you would like to ask the Lord when get to see Him “face to face”?  Perhaps you have a whole list of them, I do.  Well, the disciples were “face to face” with Jesus for a long time, and asked him many questions; I’m sure many more than were recorded in scripture.  Verse 1 of Matthew 18 is just one of those questions: “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

REFLECTIONS:

In reading through this verse, there are a lot of things to possibly discuss; being humble as a child, stumbling blocks, saving the lost sheep, properly rebuking a brother, and forgiveness are all topics of this passage.  But what jumped off the page at me was the question they asked in verse 1.  “Who’s the greatest?"  What’s amazing to me, is the timing of this question, and some of the other questions the disciples asked in the adjoining chapters.  Jesus is in the latter days of his ministry here on earth, very shortly he’s going to the cross to die for the sins of the world.  He’s going to be betrayed, beaten, literally to within an inch of his life, then crucified and “forsaken” by His Father.  THEN, he’s going to be leaving everything he’s done and accomplished in the hands of these disciples to spread this message of love and forgiveness to “all the nations.”   Now, look at the questions that these “pillars of the faith” are asking him at this time: 

Who’s gunna be the greatest?
Can my sons sit on your right and left sides in the kingdom?
Why can’t we cast out demons like you did?
How often should I forgive someone?
If the rich can’t be saved, who can?

Jesus is soon to die, and these guys are asking about trying to lobby for their own place of glory and honor!!!!  Jesus is about to suffer to forgive the whole world of sin, and these dudes are trying to make a tally sheet on a few sins against them!!!  Jesus’ message had always been to the poor and downtrodden, and these bozos still think the rich have the inside track to heavenly inheritance!!!  If this were me, I would have thrown up my hands in frustration and figured they would NEVER “get it.”  Jesus spends three years teaching them, working with them, counseling them, and all they can do is argue over who’s going to be the greatest!!!

But what does Jesus do?  He spends the rest of this chapter, and several more, AGAIN outlining his message:  Humble yourself as a child; whatever causes you to stumble, remove it from you; love the children; win back a brother who is burdened with sin; and forgive others 490 times (that’s 70 times 7).  I have to admit, Jesus has a lot more patience than me (now THERE’S a news flash).  Thank God that’s the case!

POINT OF ACTION:

Are we really any different than the disciples?  (Sorry about calling them “bozos,” especially since I have to put myself in their camp all the time).  I admit, my list of questions to ask Jesus is not really a whole lot different than theirs; they are questions about me and my interests, not about how to further the Kingdom of God.   Do you have questions about how God is working in and around your life?  Look to the scriptures, look to how Jesus acted to those around him, look to the patience He showed to those He was leaving to carry out His message.  I think this is a real definition of “dying to self”; putting the Kingdom of God ahead of my own ambitions!

PRAYER:

Lord, yes I want to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven; but on your terms, not mine.  Remove from me anything you want that causes me to stumble.  Teach me to love and be humble as a child before you.  And help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me, 490 times, or more appropriately 490 million times!

WHO AM I?

I’m Alan Wassel, aka the biggest Bozo of the bunch!  But a bozo who’s been forgiven by the grace of God.