ISSL Reflections March 12 2023 Matthew 18:1–9 Post 3

VII.

“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

What do you find out about “greatness” and the “kingdom of heaven” in your reading of these three paragraphs?

Let me encourage you to spend time with this passage again, and as you take it in, notice any connections you find between Kingdom greatness, causing others to “sin,” and what might cause you to “sin.”

VIII.
Matthew 18:1-9 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a child, whom he put among them and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things are bound to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.

IX.
Would you agree that “sin” is something (or anything) that leads us away from the Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God?

If that’s the case, what is mentioned above that leads us to life in God’s Kingdom?

Is humility on the path? What about any actions of ours that take others away from the Kingdom path? And then, what about our responsibility to ourselves to avoid what leads us away from the Kingdom?

Can you think of an action or behavior of yours that you need to reevaluate in light of Jesus’ words about Kingdom greatness?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Desu ibi est}


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