35: Humility & Responsibility (Mt 17:24-18:14)

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The lion was proud of his mastery of the animal kingdom. One day he decided to make sure all the other animals knew he was the king of the jungle. He was so confident that he by-passed the smaller animals and went straight to the bear.

"Who is the king of the jungle?" the lion asked.

The bear replied, "Why you are, of course"

The lion gave a mighty roar of approval. Next he asked the tiger, "Who is the king of the jungle?"

The tiger quickly responded, "Everyone knows that you are, mighty lion "

Next on the list was the elephant. The lion faced the elephant and addressed his question, "Who is the king of the jungle?"

The elephant immediately grabbed the lion with his trunk, whirled him around in the air five or six times and slammed him into a tree. Then he pounded him onto the ground several times, dunked him under water in a nearby lake, and finally dumped him out on the shore.

The lion--beaten, bruised, and battered--struggled to his feet. He looked at the elephant through sad and bloody eyes and said,

"Look, just because you don’t know the answer there’s no reason to get mean about it!"

I love it when someone who could whoop most people shows humility. For example…

I always appreciate seeing a powerful person treat babies & children with kindness & gentleness. JJ Watt, one of the best defensive lineman to ever play, recently retired, and held his little one alongside his wife. As a dad, he no doubt demonstrates humility and responsibility to his little on who can’t do anything to help him. If he’s a good dad, then he will be a servant leader to his child and wife, and no doubt protect them from harm while guiding them to grow as a family.

So too, Christians must demonstrate our humility towards the weakest among us while we appreciate our responsibility to guide all people, young and old, weak & strong, to the truth of Jesus.

CATCH THE CONTEXT: Today we pick up where we left - when Jesus took 3 apostles on the mountain and gave them a glimpse of His glory (Mt 17:1-9), followed by going back to real life, and driving a demon out that His disciples couldn’t drive out because their lack of faith in God (Mt 17:14-20). Finally, Jesus caused them grief as He talked about His coming crucifixion and His resurrection from the dead (Mt 17:22-23).

Matthew 17:24–25a (NIV) After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied.

Jesus and his disciples return to Capernaum, the home base for their ministry on the Sea of Galilee.

The temple tax was a carry over from the half-shekel offering for the tabernacle during the Exodus commanded for every person over the age of 20 (Ex 30:11-16). The half- shekel was equivalent to the Greek two-drachma silver coin.

DOES Jesus pay the temple tax? When the Temple IRS agents ask…Peter is quick to say yes even though it seems that Peter didn’t really know the answer to that, since this hadn’t happened before.

Matthew 17:25b (NIV) When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

The children of kings were typically exempt from taxes. So, the answer is obvious - they collect taxes from others, but not from their own children. And so Peter responds……

Matthew 17:25–26 (NIV) “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.

What does Jesus mean by that? The Temple is the house of Yahweh, the true King of Israel. Jesus is His Son. Remember when He called the temple “my Father’s house” (Lk 2:49; Jn 2:16)?

As the Son, Jesus doesn’t HAVE to pay a temple tax.

Neither does Peter, as he is now a child of God by faith in Jesus (Jn 1:12).

In the not too distant future, the disciples of Jesus would not need to pay a temple tax because the temple would no longer exist, since Jesus’ sacrifice made the temple practices that pointed to Him, unnecessary.

Matthew 17:27 (NIV) 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.

Go to the lake and throw out your line. This is my new LIFE VERSE!

Plus, I’ve got to pay our property tax soon…and…I’m going FISHING before THAT…so…I’m hoping to find something special in a trout’s snout!

We’re not told what happens next, but it’s implied that this is exactly what occurred. Simon Peter, a fisherman by trade, goes fishing and comes home with the temple tax for him and Jesus.

Then there’s a shift in Matthew’s gospel and the readers are suddenly thrusts into a messy story.

THE NECESSITY OF HUMILITY

Matthew 18:1 (NIV) At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

This is sort of strange. Why were they asking this? Mark gives us a little more information, and evidently the disciples weren’t the ones who prompted this question - Jesus was.

Mark 9:33–34 (NIV) They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Of course Jesus probably heard this and knew what they were arguing about.

Can you believe that followers of Jesus would jockey for position to clarify who has more power over each other, of where they rank in the heavenly hierarchy?

If you’ve been involved in a church for very long…you’ve likely seen this happen to. Chests puff up, faces flush red, and instead of out-serving each other, we bow up at our brothers and sisters.

Every parent with more than one child has experienced the frustration Jesus is talking about. You might have had this conversation recently: “Quit being so selfish! Stop treating your brother or sister like he/she is less important just because you are older & stronger.”

This doesn’t work in our homes and……

This isn’t going to work in the Kingdom of Jesus, so it’s time for a practical lesson in HUMILITY & RESPONSIBILITY.

Matthew 18:2–5 (NIV) 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.

First we see the necessity of humility before God, coming to Him like little children - trusting Him to do what we can’t do, as a child trusts his/her parents. Those who want to enter the Kingdom must turn from their own self-righteousness and trust God’s mercy. Those who do NOT, will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Next we see the importance of demonstrating HUMILITY to other people, a willingness to take the lowly position AND a willingness to welcome a child - showing kindness and gentleness to those who can’t do anything for YOU - in the name of Jesus, because the way we treat them is the way we treat JESUS.

I can’t think of a better passage of Scripture to promote the importance of children’s ministry, but this isn’t just about how we treat young folks - it’s about how we are to treat each other - with genuine care and value!

So ask yourself this question: Does MY life demonstrate the way Jesus values all people?

And then Jesus fires a warning shot that should get everyone’s attention.

THE GRAVITY OF RESPONSIBILITY

Matthew 18:6–7 (NIV) If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!

For those who know what’s coming further in the story, the closest disciples of Jesus will scatter when He is arrested and Peter will deny Jesus 3 times, and yet…Jesus will forgive them. He understands human frailty. He is willing to forgive our momentary lapses of distraction and disobedience.

There is, however, ONE thing that Jesus would not put up with - those who would cause others to stumble - those who lead others AWAY from Jesus instead of leading them to HIM. To them Jesus declares WOE - a warning of future judgment. Just how bad IS that? Listen to how Jesus explains it.

If you had the choice of facing God’s judgement versus tying a large millstone around your neck and being thrown off a boat in deep water - you would choose drowning over dealing with the punishment God will give you. Of course, you can’t escape His punishment by taking your own life, but this draws the picture of the punishment people who lead others away from allegiance to Jesus will face!

Every Christian in the room should feel the GRAVITY of RESPONSIBILITY that is upon us.

James 3:1 reminds teachers in the church will face stricter judgment.

WHY is that? A teacher’s lessons & life will either clarify or confuse their students regarding WHO God is and WHAT God says. So while teaching is a great privilege it is also a great responsibility.

But official teachers in the church aren’t the only ones who should be concerned. If you are leading someone - your spouse, friends, children & grandchildren - then YOU are accountable for your LIFE and the LESSONS you teach too.

So ask yourself this question: Does MY life demonstrate CLARITY or CONFUSION to those who are watching me?

If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, do you sense both the PRIVILEGE and RESPONSIBILITY God has given you? You have the privilege and responsibility to rightly communicate & demonstrate WHO God is and WHAT He says.

Imagine someone who NEVER read the New Testament watched your life & listened to your words for 1 week, and later read the New Testament. Would what they see in you compared to what the read in the Scripture…bring CLARITY or CONFUSION?

Maybe you’ve never thought about that…but it’s time that you do. Jesus warns His disciples…and us -of the great responsibility that we have in our homes, church, and community.

FEET2FAITH

You want some tough homework this week?

Ask God and those you love to reveal whether your life is bringing CLARITY or causing CONFUSION. Be ready to change gears if someone honestly shares a concern they see in your life.

Some of you are leading others well. Your language, attitude, servanthood, and love for Jesus is obvious. Keep it up, demonstrating HUMILITY & RESPONSIBILITY.

Some of you don’t have to ask another. You know you’ve led people to stumble and that might leave you frustrated at yourself, wondering if you can be forgiven. And do I have some GOOD NEWS for you!

But some of you might not even realize the negative impact you’ve had on others.

Some of you are leading your family AWAY from Jesus, rather than TO Him.

Some of you have damaged relationships with other believers and refused to humble yourselves and attempt to make things right. Instead of modeling the forgiveness God has extended to YOU, you continue to scowl & criticize rather do your best to restore relationships. But if you are confronted and corrected by God’s Spirit, then you CAN change gears - TODAY!

HOW, you ask? You ask great questions!

Matthew 18:8–9 (NIV) If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

Just as Matthew previously quotes Jesus saying the same thing in Mt 5:27-30, so Jesus uses this hyperbole - an exaggeration to make a point. The reality of the OTHER SIDE of eternity should cause us to make holy decisions on THIS SIDE of eternity.

Does your hand or foot - what you touch or where you go - cause you to stumble?

Keep your hands off and keep your carcase from going to that place!

Does your eye - what you look at - cause you to stumble?

Remove the websites, the magazines, the advertisements, that cause you to lust after something or someone that doesn’t belong to you!

Why remove temptation to sin from your life? Because there really is a Just Judge who will condemn those who disobey Him to the eternal fire of hell.

If you don’t believe that hell really exists, or somehow think that it’s a place to party with your friends, then you should trust the words of Jesus, that this is a place of eternal fire - a place of forever punishment for disobeying the Creator of the Universe.

Matthew 18:10 (NIV)

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

What’s THAT angle part all about? This is where many people get the idea of guarding angels. I wonder how many times God HAS protected our lives with the unseen presence of angels. Hebrews 1:14 refers to angels as “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.” (see Gen 48:16; Ps 34:7 , 91:11).

Jesus is making the point that God cares about the people that some see as insignificant and sends His angels to minister to their needs. MacArthur probably has it right when he says this:

“The implication is that the holy angels never take their eyes off God, lest they miss some direction from Him regarding a task they are to perform on behalf of a believer…The fact that Almighty God is so concerned about the care of His beloved children that He has hosts of angels in His presence ready to be dispatched to their aid demonstrates clearly how valuable believers are and how unthinkably wicked it is to look with disdain on someone whom God so highly prizes.” - John MacArthur [2]

There is no verse 11 in this translation and most others because it is not found in the earliest manuscripts of Matthew. The phrase “For the Son of Man came to save the lost” seems to be borrowed and inserted into later Matthew manuscripts from Lk 19:10. [1]

Disciples of Jesus are to follow the example of Jesus in how we treat others.

Philippians 2:3–5 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Finally, Jesus concludes this teaching of HUMILITY & RESPONSIBILITY by reminding His disciples of the Father’s heart to seek and save the lost.

Matthew 18:12–14 (NIV)

What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

And all this is coming from the mouth of the GOOD SHEPHERD, the One who has come to seek and save those who are lost.

18 Month Old Trapped in Well Shaft

For several days in the fall of 1987, the whole world was fixed on Texas, where an 18-month year old little girl was trapped in an abandoned well shaft for three days.

Teams of workers showed up including firemen & police to drill, dig, and carefully work their way to finally rescue the little girl. A mining engineer supervised and introduced a new technology of waterjet cutting to cut through the rock around the shaft. During the driller rescuers could hear the little girl singing “Winnie the Pooh”.

A roofing contractor born without collarbones - able to could collapse his shoulders to work in tight confines - volunteered to go down the shaft. He had been . The team considered his offer, but paramedic was ultimately able to inch his way into the tunnel, help the little girl get free, even with one leg pressed above her forehead. He handed her to a fellow paramedic, who then carried her up to safety before giving her to another paramedic who carried her to a waiting ambulance.

The world rejoiced and she was sent thousands of cards while recovering in the hospital. [3]

WHY SO MUCH EFFORT AND FUSS FOR ONE LITTLE GIRL? Because her little life mattered!

And your life matters to Our Good Shepherd as well. Jesus left the glory of heaven to seek YOU out because He doesn’t want YOU to perish.

And he doesn’t want that person beside you to perish either, nor that person who lives near you, nor the person with a different skin color.

2 Questions:

Do you demonstrate HUMILITY? Ask yourself the question: Does MY life demonstrate the way Jesus values all people?

Do you appreciate the RESPONSIBILITY to lead people TO Jesus and not away from Jesus? Ask yourself: Does MY life demonstrate CLARITY or CONFUSION to those who are watching me?

Have questions? Call our Staff or Deacons/wives.

Next Week - Hear our men who served in the Kairos Prison Ministry last weekend.

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Lord’s Supper

Today we conclude by celebrating the night that Jesus literally bowed His knee to wash the feet of His disciples - a task expected of a servant, NOT a KING! That meal was more than a meal, it was the last night of Jesus life before He carried the cross to pay for our sins.

Let me briefly remind you who SHOULD participate and who SHOULD NOT.

Our deacons will now pass out the bread and juice, and as the do, let’s pause and reflect on what Jesus has done for us as we sing together.

Read from Luke 22:14-20 and take Communion.

Luke 22:14–20 (NIV)

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Remind of Paul in 1 Cor 11:26 “Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”)

_____________

The NET Bible (Second Edition) - The most important MSS (א B L* Θ* f1, 13 33 892* pc e ff1 sys sa) do not include 18:11 “For the Son of Man came to save the lost.” The verse is included in D Lmg W Θc 078vid 𝔐 lat syc,p,h, but is almost certainly not original, being borrowed, as it were, from the parallel in Luke 19:10. The present translation follows NA27 in omitting the verse number as well, a procedure also followed by a number of other modern translations.

John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, vol. 3, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), 118–119.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rescue_of_Jessica_McClure

Discussion Questions

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching?

Read Matthew 17:24-27. Take some time to explain why Jesus did not have to pay the Temple tax, but chose to anyway. What does Jesus knowledge about where to find the coin tell you about who he is?

Read Matthew 18:1-5, 10. According to Jesus, why is humility necessary? Name some ways that we can choose to be: a) prideful in how we treat others, b) humble in how we treat others.

Read Philippians 2:1-14. How did Jesus model the mindset that we are to have in our relationships with one another? Take time to discuss the characteristics of Christ that we are to share in following His example.

Read Matthew 18:6-9. What is the punishment for those who lead people away from Jesus instead of to him? Share some characteristics of those who demonstrate clarity to those who are watching versus those who cause confusion to those who are watching. What is the disciple of Jesus to do about the actions, words, or thoughts that cause themselves or others to stumble? Give an example of what that might look like.

What is the heart of the Father toward people who are perishing and how should that impact the way we view those who are currently lost?

What does God want YOU to do with what we studied today?

Share prayer needs and pray for one another.