Bible Materials

Matthew 17:14-18:14

by Paul Choi   09/20/2015   Matthew 17:14~18:14

Message


The Greatest In the Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 17:14-18:14

Key Verse:18:4,5  “Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

  Last week we learned about Jesus’ transfiguration into a glorious and holy image on a mountain before the eyes of his disciples. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light. There was no hint of darkness in the transfigured Jesus. The transfigured Jesus was a prelude of his glorious Parousia (second coming) and a preview of our own resurrection. We have hope to be changed like the transfigured Jesus when we put off our present earthly bodies. While Jesus was transfigured, a voice came from heaven and said, “This is my Son whom I love. With him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” God the Father made an announcement that Jesus is the Son of God. We must listen to him instead of listening to something or someone else.

  In today’s passage we learn what happened to Jesus after he came down from the mountain. There was a small commotion between the rest of his disciples and the father of a demon-possessed boy. There was also a conflict among his disciples over the issue of who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Let us study how Jesus dealt with all of these problems. Let us also learn from Jesus who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is.

First, You unbelieving and perverse generation! (14-27) Look at verses 14-16. “When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” The situation of this father who had a demon-possessed son was desperate. The boy had a seizure. He often fell into the fire or into the water. His condition was unpredictable and dangerous. He could not control himself because he was possessed by demons. The father’s heart was broken. So he came to Jesus’ disciples for help, as a drowning man clutches at a straw. The disciples did their best to drive out the demons, but they failed. In the past during their mission trip they drove out demons and healed the sick. (10:1,8) But this time they couldn’t.  The demons didn’t go out. The disciples were helpless. According to Mark’s gospel they were arguing with the teachers of the law and became an object of ridicule to them. (Mk 9:14)

  What was Jesus’ response? Look at verses 17-18. “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.” Jesus lamented for that unbelieving and perverse generation. Here, the word “generation” (genea) indicates not only the disciples, but also all the people around him, including the father, the teachers of the law, and even all the contemporary races at Jesus’ time. Jesus lamented the absence of faith and moral depravity of his generation. Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy, and the boy was healed at that moment.

  Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” (19) They meant, “What’s wrong with us? We drove out demons in the past, but why couldn’t we drive out demons now? What was Jesus’ answer? Look at verses 20-21. “He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Jesus saw the lack of their faith as the root of their failure. If the disciples had faith as small as a mustard seed, they could have not only healed the boy but also moved a mountain. How small is a mustard seed! A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds. It is surprising that the disciples didn’t have faith even as small as a mustard seed. If they had faith as big as a watermelon, they could have changed the world.

  If Jesus comes again today, what do you suppose he would call this generation? Will he be pleased or lament? In our generation there are many physically, mentally, and spiritually sick people. There are many young people who suffer from depression, addiction, and other mental illnesses. The US government spends tens of millions of dollars a year for medicine to heal mental diseases and illnesses. Still, there seems to be no sign of improvement. The father in today’s passage saw his son’s mental illness as demon possession. Jesus rebuked his unbelieving and perverse generation. Jesus saw his disciples’ problem as a lack of faith. Our present problem is not a mental or social problem, but a spiritual and moral problem. When Jesus comes again, he will lament for the moral depravity and apostasy of faith of this generation.

  Many young people suffer from depression, addiction and other mental illness. Why? It is because they don’t believe in God, the Creator of the world and source of their lives. It is because they have no moral value in their lives. It is because they do not know what to do or where to go. They are directionless and helpless. They are vulnerable to temptation by and deception of demons. Their parents are powerless because of their lack of faith. Many parents do not live godly lives and mislead their children to unbelief. Our religious leaders are powerless to fight for the truth and to protect God’s flock of sheep from wolves because of their lack of faith. Today Jesus rebukes us, “You unbelieving and perverse generation. How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus asks us to bring to him our children, our students, our selves, and all our generations. Jesus is the answer. Jesus is the healer. Jesus is the Savior. Let us pray that we may listen to Jesus and obey him. Let us bring this generation to Jesus so that he may heal us and restore us. Let us also pray that we may have faith as small as a mustard seed so that we may move a mountain.  Jesus said in Luke 18:8, “…when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

  In verses 22-23 Jesus a second time predicted his death, saying, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” Jesus again predicted his death and resurrection to his disciples so that they might believe that these were God’s divine and purposed work of redemption, not mere human tragedy. Jesus planted faith in his disciples’ hearts so that they might prepare for his coming death and resurrection. But the disciples did not understand Jesus’ words. They were filled with grief. Jesus’ suffering and death were not as tragic events as the disciples thought. They are a glorious victory by which God would fulfill his work of salvation for our eternal life when Jesus died for our sin on the cross and rose again from the dead. May God give us eyes to see all things from God’s point of view, not from a human point of view! Amen!

  In verses 24-27 Jesus helped Peter to pay a temple tax so that Peter might believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Almighty. When Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, a temple tax collector challenged Peter, saying, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax? (24) At that time all the Jews were obliged to pay a temple tax. Peter said, “Yes, he does.”, but he was not so sure. Jesus knew Peter’s heart and asked, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - from their own children or from others? “From others”, Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt. But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (25-27) In this conversation we learn that Jesus should not have had to pay the tax because he is the Son of God the Father, who is the creator and owner of the temple. Jesus himself is the temple.  Still, Jesus paid the temple tax in order not to cause offense. Jesus obeyed the law of the world. This reminds us of his words, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Mt 22:21) Jesus teaches us to fulfill our basic duties as children of God and as citizen of this world. Jesus performed miraculous signs for Peter when Peter obeyed Jesus’ words. How could Peter have found a fish full of coins? He could do so when he simply trusted in Jesus and obeyed him.

Second, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (18:1-14) While Jesus was talking with Peter, there was a small commotion among Jesus’ disciples. They came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  We will study why the disciples asked this question at that time. They sensed that Jesus would enter Jerusalem soon. They were on their way to Jerusalem. With their earthly messianic dream, they thought that Jesus would destroy the Roman government and establish the New Israel. They expected that Jesus would become the new king and that they would become his royal ministers. In modern terms when Jesus became president, they would become cabinet members. Then a problem arose among the Twelve. Who was going to occupy the first seat of Jesus’ kingdom? Who was the greatest among the Twelve?

  We understand them and why they were eager to know who was the greatest. They left everything and followed Jesus with hope of a new era and a new kingdom.  Jesus’ first message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (4:17) While spending time with Jesus for the last three years, they experienced many wonders and miraculous signs. They saw Jesus heal the sick and raise the dead. They saw Jesus feeding five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. They witnessed Jesus calming a storm and walking on water. Surely Jesus is the Son of God and the Promised Messiah. So, Peter made a confession of faith to Jesus, saying that Jesus is God’s Messiah. Peter, James, and John saw the glorious image of Jesus on the mountain. Now they thought that Jesus’ kingdom would be coming soon. Their dreams would come true soon. Their hope would be fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem.

  In fact, all men have inherited from God a desire to become great. Our God is great. How great thou art! God created man to be a ruler for the created world. (Ge 1:28) God called Abraham and promised to make his name great.(Ge 12:2) So it was natural for Jesus’ disciples to want to become great. But they did not know what truly great was or how to become truly great. Jesus did not rebuke them for their desire to be great, but taught them what truly great is and how to become truly great in the kingdom of heaven.

  Look at verses 2-4. “He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” At that time women and children were not considered important. The disciples did not even include women and children in counting crowds of hungry people. Jesus saw a little child sitting in a lowly place. Jesus called to him and placed him among the disciples. Jesus used this little child to teach his disciples who is truly great and how to become great. Jesus said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” What did Jesus mean that they should become like children? Children are humble. They are humble because they know that they are young and needy. Children know how to depend on their parents. Children are also simple. They are not complicated or sophisticated like adults. They simply trust and follow. Children are also growing. They don’t stop growing. When they stop growing, they become adults. There is a saying, “Children are teachers of adults.” I did not understand the meaning of these words when I was young, but now I understand. We learn many things from children: humility, honesty, simplicity, possibility, and so on.

  Jesus said that those who humble themselves like little children are truly great in the kingdom of heaven. Who are some humble men in the Bible? Moses was known as a humble man. When he carried out the Exodus for his people, he humbly trusted in God. He leaned on God’s guidance. When his leadership was challenged by his rebellious people, he did not fight back against them. He went to God and knelt down before him and prayed for his people. David was a humble man. When he sinned against God, he repented of all his sins with many tears. Jesus is the best example of how to become humble. Paul said in Philippians 2:5-11. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!”  Jesus made himself nothing, even though he is God in very nature. Jesus, who is God the Incarnate, is the perfect example of how to become humble. Recently a woman said to me that she came to understand the meaning of humbleness. She said that humbleness is not to lower herself below others, but think of herself less. Her realization was great. But I said, “I think that humbleness is not only thinking of yourself less but also making yourself nothing.” Jesus made himself nothing. Then God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. (Php 2:10-11)

  In fact, Christians are those who make themselves nothing for the sake of Christ. Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved and gave himself for me.” Christians are those whose passion and desires were crucified with Christ Jesus. (Gal 5:24) We should have nothing to boast about ourselves except Christ Jesus. Of course, God allows each of us to feel, think, discern, choose, and judge. But when we become Christians, we die to our old self, pride, and selfish desire, and live for God’s righteousness.  (Ro 6:10)

These day people often argue about who is right and who is wrong. While our missionaries were studying this passage, we had a small conflict about who is right. The answer is that Jesus is right. Those who follow Jesus are right. Those who become like little children are right because Jesus said so. I pray that we all may become humble like little children. We should have the same attitude of the Christ. We should consider others better than ourselves for the sake of unity. We should sometimes lose for the sake of the gospel. We should sometimes sacrifice our time, money, and privacy for the sake of helping others. What does it matter when we lose something, are misunderstood, treated unjustly, and our pride is hurt for the sake of the gospel? We will all be winners in God’s time. We are all great in the sight of God. Paul said, “I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. …To the weak I became weak, to win the weak….”(1 Co 9:19-23) To Paul, it didn’t matter whomever he might be if only the gospel was preached and people were saved.

In verses 6-9 Jesus taught his disciples the seriousness of causing others to sin. Look at verses 6-9. You could interpret them literally or allegorically. The important thing is that we must be very careful of not causing others to sin because of our sinfulness. The consequences of this sin are unbearable.  Some will be thrown into the sea having a large millstone hung around their necks. Others will be thrown into the fire of hell with one eye or no eyes. Still, others will go to heaven with no hands or feet. Sinning is not a joke. It results in serious punishments.

In verses 10-14, through the parable of the wandering sheep, Jesus taught his disciples the importance of saving one lost soul. Look at verses 10-14. People may not think much about a lost sheep as long as 99 sheep are safe and secure. They may forget the lost sheep or give up for the sake of 99 sheep. But Jesus didn’t teach anything like that. A good shepherd leaves 99 sheep in the open country and seeks his lost sheep at all costs. The shepherd never gives up on finding the lost sheep. This is the heart of God. God does not want to lose any one, even a humble and lowly person like a little child, but keeps seeking him until he finds him. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” (1 Pe 5:5) God will bless those who are humble and raise them in God’s right time. Peter learned from Jesus how to be humble. He deeply accepted Jesus’ message about who is truly greatest in the kingdom of heaven. So he confessed in 1 Pe 5:6,  “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” I pray that God may give us the eyes to see the world with faith and humility to become great in God’s kingdom. Amen.


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