Matthew 18:6-9: The Little Ones
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Scholars will tell us if Jesus here (and in Mark 9:42-48) is referring only to children when he speaks of the little ones or if he means those who have faith as a child does. In either case the warning is clear: We must beware of ever leading the innocent and trusting astray for the consequences are great.
In speaking with friends recently I have shared my thought that God is so generous and so magnanimous and so loving that he gives us an infinite number of opportunities to come to him and to behave as the very children he seeks to protect in this reading. Hell, in this scenario then, is the endless returning to conversion for those who refuse to enter God’s plan. It seems a just consequence to me that those who abuse others might finally submit to the infinite kindness and mercy they have so often thrown off and this is surely their Gehenna.
How difficult is it then, to prepare our own wedding garment? What does it cost us to be good stewards of the oil in our lamps so that we are ready for the bridegroom when he arrives? What is the true price of neglecting Jesus’ charge to treat the little ones well?
We will want to spend time with these questions today.
A re-post from October 8, 2012.
Images from: http://endtimepilgrim.org/tenvirg.htm and https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/dont-be-a-wedding-crasher
To read more about Gehenna, go to: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6558-gehenna
The Noontimes 