Wealthy, Poor or Humble? The Citizens of the Kingdom Will Surprise You
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Prayer
Introduction
Exposition One
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
“Then”
Children and Rabbis
Disciples reaction seems somewhat strange
Speculation on motives
but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus essentially rebukes His disciples
He makes a point that “to such belongs the kingdom of heaven”
And he laid his hands on them and went away.
Jesus then simply does what was asked
So what is the point of this text in the context of the book of Matthew?
Let us make two observations from the book.
Two observations
++Vss. 3-12 stress the sanctity of the family. These verse continue that theme.
++In 18:1-9 Children were used as models of humility.
“Jesus does not want the little children prevented from coming to him, not because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them, but because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those like them.” (D.A. Carson, EBC)
I. Kingdom citizens are to be people of humility and faith.
I. Kingdom citizens are to be people of humility and faith.
Application:
These are not people who have it all figured out
Theologically?
Practically?
Confidently?
Exposition 2
As we move on, the next text seems to move on to a degree but I think the next two paragraphs combine with the one we just finished to create an idea. We will get there by the end.
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
Jewish idea of a good work that earns eternal life
And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”
Mark and Luke- Good Teacher
Best recronstruction
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
++ “Why do you ask me questions regarding the good?”
-D.A. Carson
Jesus answers, essentially “Obey the commandments of God (the only one who is good)”
In other words, be perfect
This is the standard
He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,
Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Lists commandments #6, 7, 8, 9, & 5 then adds “love your neighbor as yourself”
The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”
The young man thinks he has them all but is still looking for the “key”
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Grammatically, the focus of this verse is on following, not selling or giving.
When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Essentially, the assumption is that this man did not end up following Jesus because he was not willing to let go of his wealth in order to follow.
This is not specifically a commentary on wealth but on things getting in the way of following.
II. Kingdom citizens are characterized by a willingness to sacrifice in order to follow.
II. Kingdom citizens are characterized by a willingness to sacrifice in order to follow.
And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
III. No one is able to be saved apart from the work of God.
III. No one is able to be saved apart from the work of God.
Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
IV. Just as children utterly depend on their parents and follow them, kingdom citizens do the same.
IV. Just as children utterly depend on their parents and follow them, kingdom citizens do the same.