This lesson focuses on two realities. (1) God's devout follower who is tempted to be arrogant [not in his/her eyes, but in the eyes of others]. He/she views confrontation as a necessary means to achieve purity. (2) God's devout follower who has been offended by what he/she regards as another's abuse.
In Jesus' lesson, two attitudes are brought into focus. The first attitude is this: "If I consider you a threat to God's purpose [typically, the objectives of godly purity], I can treat you any way I wish without consideration of you." The second attitude is this: "If you hurt me, I can silently sulk as a victim." Jesus declared neither attitude reflected God in kingdom existence. There is a responsibility to be assumed in each situation.
Begin by noting the context. Jesus is speaking to the disciples, presumably the twelve (Matthew 17:24). They directly asked Jesus about greatness in the kingdom. Their concern prior to Jesus' death and resurrection focused often on prominence in the kingdom (Luke 9:46ff; 22:24ff; Matthew 20:20-28; John 13:3-17). Obviously, at this time their concept of God's [Jesus'] kingdom was nationalistic and materialistic. In those considerations, their advantage in God's kingdom would be experienced in power and prominence. Throughout Jesus' ministry, they never grasped God's kingdom was not and is not nationalistic [there is no "us" and "them" in God's concern for people]. They never grasped that God's kingdom blessings are not material blessings [as an example, not money, but forgiveness]. American Christians should be hesitant to fault "their ridiculous view of the kingdom" because we too often are guilty of the same attitudes.
Jesus illustrated and taught his lesson. To capture and focus their attention, he placed a child before them. Remember, this was a society that venerated the maturity and wisdom of age. The younger you were, the lower you were "on the ladder to success." Being a child was merely the beginning point.
Jesus then declared that being as a child was necessary to entering the kingdom as well as the way to greatness in the kingdom. This was not a blank statement declaring everything about childhood was desirable. Jesus specified the target quality--the quality of humility. A child was completely dependent on his parents. In that dependence, he was unassuming. Jesus point: know your dependence rather than seeking independence. Rather than concern yourself with receiving honor, concern yourself with the role of helpfulness.
They, like us, attached great significance to recovering bodies. One of their fears of drowning was associated with the fact that often the body could not be recovered. Jesus' lesson was and is astounding. Do not be the cause of an immature believer in me to stumble [loose his/her spiritual balance and fall]. If you do, a consequence more horrible than drowning without recovering the body is yours! Serving the spiritually immature is the road to significance in God's kingdom, not placing yourself above others who have weakness and flaws that offend you. Let God be in charge of "purity control;" you serve the role of helping those who need help and encouragement. God will still be in charge of purifying after all of us are dead!
In the same discourse, Jesus presented the lessons found in verses 15-18. The first lesson is the opposite side of the coin from the central lesson in verses 3-6. Jesus' discourse on greatness in God's kingdom began with the wrong attitude--looking condescendingly on others. In these verses Jesus focused on the believer who sulks because he/she has been hurt. Instead of sulking [others note something is wrong, but they only can speculate {which is dangerous!} about what is wrong], go privately to the one you consider the offender to work the situation out. Do not sulk; talk to the person! There is much to gain and little to lose!
Remember, Jesus said this to men in a theocracy [a society ruled by God] that utilized agreeing witnesses to settle court issues. The admonition: if possible, do not allow the situation to escalate! Yet, if it escalates take witnesses. [The objective is to create resolution, not to "gang up" on someone.] I presume one would take those who would be respected and who were interested in peace. Only if (1) the offensive person is wrong and (2) refuses to make peace should one "go public" by taking it to the assembly of God seekers. Only then, if the offender refused to listen to everyone, was he/she to be rejected as one who did not care about God. Please note the major effort made to produce genuine peace.
Two lessons to note. (1) If God's persons are governed by a spirit of humility that (2) seeks peace, no one will seek advantage by placing himself/herself in a position of prestige. Everyone will be devoted to seeking peace by resolution.
God sent us the Prince of Peace in order that we would live in peace. Those who find peace in God seek peace with each other. Such is not the focus of godless people. That is the focus of those in God's kingdom. In God's kingdom, people always matter to God's people because people always matter to God.
For Discussion and Thought
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 5