The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 18 Part 1 Pride Is Contrary To The Gospel

A pride fueled dispute among the disciples of Christ was addressed.

Matthew 18:1  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 

This chapter begins with Christ's disciples asking another question of their Master after Matthew sets the time and place for us.

The words "At the same time" means that this question was posed right after Christ and Peter spoke about the temple tax and after Peter caught a fish and found money to pay for both of them.

Mark's gospel adds some context to help us see why this question was asked by Jesus' disciples.

Mark 9:33  And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 

When they arrived at the home they were going to stay in at Capernaum, Jesus first asked them a question.

Jesus asked them "What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?" 

Jesus did not ask this question because He did not know what they quarreled about, for He always knew the thoughts of men (See Matthew 9:4; 12:25; Luke 9:46).

Rather, Jesus would use this as a teaching moment to rebuke their sin of pride and show their great need of humility.

Psalm 138:6  Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. 

God is high and lofty and inhabits eternity, yet He will dwell with those whose hearts are humble and whose spirits are contrite (See Isaiah 57:15).

He hears and helps those who are lowly, who seek Him in utter dependency, and who know that only God can help them.

Proverbs 3:33-34  The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 34  Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35  The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. 

Humble people are meek and lowly in spirit. They know that it is by God's mercy and grace that they are not consumed for their sins and transgressions.

This is also our great need because God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble. 

We are like the disciples in that we can also struggle with pride or prideful thoughts 

A "proud look" that indicates an arrogant, haughty countenance which is one of the seven things God hates (See Proverbs 6:16-19).

Therefore, God will seek to purge all pride out of His children.

Mark 9:34  But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 

We can thank God that He did not hide the character flaws of Jesus' disciples and we benefit from knowing that they were men like us.

They struggled with their old sin nature just like you and I do.

James tells us that Elijah was a man of like passions and human weakness like we are and God's Spirit includes details of the apostles weaknesses to show us our need of being born again (See James 5:17)

The words "They held their peace" indicate that their own conscience was at work convicting them of their pride.

They experienced guilt and shame when Jesus asked them about their dispute.

They were quarrelling about which one of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. 

Jesus always put others first, but His disciples were competing to see who would be first.

Thus, they had a very wrong view of what God's kingdom is like and Jesus was going to correct them. 

Matthew 18:1  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 

Here is the question that Jesus addressed as He both rebuked His disciples for pride and erroneous views of His kingdom.

We see that this was a dispute about pride, about which one of them would be used the most for God's kingdom work or which one of them would be most prominent.

Matthew 18:2-3  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

There was never a greater example of humility than our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore, there was never a better preacher of it than Christ.

He took advantage of all situations to command humility and to commend it to His disciples.

Jesus' disciples needed to turn from thinking about a kingdom of political power and remember it is called the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God.

They needed to turn away from looking for a military type of Messiah because God's kingdom is spiritual.

Without conversion or renewing of their minds and seeking true humility from God, they were not yet prepared to enter His kingdom.

Christ the King is a heavenly King.

1 Timothy 6:13-16  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 

Jesus Christ is the only Potentate, the Creator of all things, the Sustainer and Giver of all life, the God who spoke all things into existence with His Word.

This Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (See Philippians 2:5-11; Revelation 17:14; 19:16).

He is the immortal King, and is God manifest in the flesh.

All majesty, power, glory and honor belongs to Jesus Christ. He is a heavenly King!

Christ's subjects are heavenly minded children.

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

The apostle Paul teaches us that salvation is by the amazing grace of God through repentant faith in Jesus Christ. 

Our salvation is not of works, that is, it cannot be earned by doing enough good works because our very best efforts are as filthy rags (See Isaiah 64:6).

However, after God's Spirit regenerates the heart of a repentant sinner, that born again Christian is to search out the good works that God created for each believer to complete.

Colossians 3:1-2  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Therefore, our focus is not to be saturated with worldly pursuits, seeking pleasure and living for self.

Each day we must rise up and seek first the kingdom of God (See Matthew 6:33).

Each day was must spend time with God and ask for His help to maintain a heavenly focus throughout the day.

We are to live as strangers just passing through this life, moving closer each day to our eternal home in heaven.

The Pilgrims left all the familiar comforts of life in Europe due to religious persecution and they were willing to risk everything in order to sail to America and be able to live in accord with scripture.

We are like the Pilgrims in that this world is not our home, and we live for a much higher calling in life.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

Jesus declared that He was meek and lowly in heart and He lived out His life in this manner.

Therefore, when Christ tells us that we must be converted with child like faith, we must hear and apply His Words to ourselves.

Jesus called a little child to him, one that was old enough to understand and to walk to Christ. 

Jesus had this little child stand in their midst to serve as an object lesson to illustrate a great truth.

The words "Verily I say unto you" tells us that this is a certain and absolute truth communicated by Christ to His disciples. 

Thus, we too must take heed to what our Lord says.

Each disciple, and by extension, each one of us, has a great need to be converted to Christ, to be born again, regenerated by the Spirit of God.

Christ's disciples were filled with the faulty thinking that God's kingdom was all about overthrowing Roman rule and making Israel the head of the nations.

Thus, they were contending among themselves to be the chief leaders in a military type Messianic kingdom.

Jesus' words of rebuke are strong. "You must be converted with child like faith or you will not enter into my kingdom!"

The word "converted" means to repent, to turn away from wrong thinking, wrong emotions and wrong motivations, and to embrace the gospel of Christ.

We must become as little children. 

The grace of God that converts a soul to Christ makes us like little children, babes in Christ, who need to be fed the sincere milk of God's truth in order to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 2:2-3  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 

2 Peter 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 

We must be humble as little children who learn to obey their parents, and to respect authorities in their lives.

Psalm 131:1-2  A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. 2  Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. 

King David expressed the idea of child like faith in Christ.

He said his heart was not haughty before God because he learned many painful lessons connected with the lust and pride of his sin with Bathsheba.

David learned to lean upon God for all situations that he encountered, when all hope seemed lost and no help was near. He trusted the LORD for deliverance.

He recognized that humility of heart was a great gift and work of God in our heart and was content not to concern himself with things that belonged to God.

King David learned to conduct himself like a child that had been weaned from it's mother's milk and able to eat more nourishing food.

He learned to trust the LORD in all circumstances of his life, just as a child trusts it's parents to protect and care for them.

David simply trusted God whether facing adversity or enjoying calm times, whether carrying heavy burdens or while worshiping God.

Matthew 18:3-4  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

Jesus went to the core of their question by saying that all sinners must be converted to Christ by exercising repentant faith in Him.

The new birth brings a new life and a fresh start. 

Our old sinful ways begin passing away as God makes us a new creation in Christ (See 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Children grow up trusting their parents to protect them, provide food, clothing, shelter and moral instruction. 

It is this kind of child like faith and humble dependency that Jesus speaks of.

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,  God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Jesus taught this truth to His disciples because they needed to be reminded that God hates pride, but He will give grace to those who are humble in heart and  contrite in spirit.

Matthew 18:5-6  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 

Jesus showed that whoever receives His meek and lowly disciples into their houses, receive their ministry and message.

This action pictures embracing the Gospel with readiness and cheerfulness, with faith and love in His name.

Jesus is not speaking directly of children, but of His disciples who have child like faith and are followers of His way.

Jesus is speaking of those who reject His disciples or who refuse to hear the gospel message, as those who "offend"  and are worthy of judgment.

Jesus is also speaking of those false teachers who seek to lead His disciples into error.

Those who cause one of the least of those who are in Christ to imbibe the spirit of the world, or to live in sin, shall meet appropriate punishment.

Let those who act the part of the devil by tempting others to sin, or by mistreating followers of Christ, hear Jesus' words and tremble.

We learned that God is holy, just and righteous.

We learned that pride is something that God hates and He will do what it takes to purge it out of us.

Pride caused Lucifer to sin and rebel against God.

Pride goes before a fall and we have seen this play out in the lives of many televangelists.

Jesus seeks to instill a meek and lowly spirit in each  Christian's heart, such that we are humbled by the greatness of God and our utter unworthiness to receive such a wonderful salvation.

This is why the new birth is essential to the gospel of Christ. 

We need a new heart and new spirit from God in order to enter His kingdom (See Ezekiel 11:19-21; 18:31-32; 36:24-28; Titus 3:4-6).

God graciously gives this to each sinner who repents and trusts Christ for salvation.

May we continue learning how to walk in newness of life with Christ each day.

May we have hearts willing to seek first God's kingdom, and to live in accord with His Word.

May we spend time with our God each day to draw near to Him and in seeking His transformative power to work in us conforming us to the image of His dear Son. 

Bob