09 October
Bible In 365 Days
Matthew 18-19
Matthew 18
What a sad state of heart prompted this question! How absolutely opposed to the whole genius of the Master's teaching and example! He replied by an act, and a statement growing out of that act. The child in the midst was a revelation of the truly great character. To rob a child of its child character is to make it stumble, and the words of Jesus leave no room for doubt how such an act is abhorred by God. The journey into the wilderness is a journey to restore childhood to a wanderer, for it is not the will of God that a "little one" should perish. The essential fact in the transformation Christ works is that He changes the great ones into little children.
Out of the desire for greatness will spring actual trespass of one against another. With such trespass our Lord dealt from the standpoint of the duty of the injured, and not of the one who inflicts the injury.
1. Tell him his fault. You have no right to ignore it, for so you injure the wrongdoer.
2. Failing this first method, take one or two others.
3. Failing that, tell it to the church.
4. Then if that fail, "let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican."
What does that signify? That I am to despise and oppress him? Certainly not. The Christian's attitude toward a "heathen man and a publican" must be a passionate desire to help and save. This is emphatically taught in the parable which answered Peter's question. It is in this connection that the Master utters the memorable words which contain the most perfect statement of true ecclesiastical policy. The gathering of souls in the name of Jesus constitutes the Church, which has authority to deal with the wrongdoer. Then let it be noted that the seat of authority is not in human agreement, but in the presence and Lordship of Jesus.
Matthew 19
The Pharisees approached Him with a question concerning divorce. The force of His reply is in the words "from the beginning." He had no opinions apart from the will and intention of God. As God willed, so let it be! "Why did Moses then command?" His answer is a contradiction of their main position. "Moses...suffered." He did not command, but because of the people's hardness of heart he suffered.
Marriage, not celibacy, is the law of life, yet the Master recognizes that celibacy will be the condition of some, and does not condemn it when it arises from one of three causes, the necessity of birth, the action of men, and the voluntary act for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a dark saying not intended for all, as the words of Jesus indicate.
It is beautifully fitting that having reiterated the irrevocable divine law relating to marriage, thus emphasizing the value of family life, He should now show His direct and wonderful interest in and tenderness toward children. In this place the word "such" does not primarily refer to the child character, but to children; and so the Master that day claimed all child life as belonging to His Kingdom.
The picture of this young man would be perfect to any but the dear vision of Christ. Yet the words of the Master prove that He saw the imperfections, and, moreover, they suggest that the young man was also conscious of them, "if thou wouldst be perfect." "Follow Me" is the Master's supreme word to him. Submit, obey, follow! And then with rare skill the Lord sets His mark on the supremest thing hitherto in the young man's life, and that which is his greatest hindrance - his wealth. "He went away sorrowful." Yet "Jesus..loved him."
