A Layman’s Take on Today’s Gospel Reading: Lectionary 459/650

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Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

1.           This child came when Jesus called, even though he likely did not understand why Jesus was calling him or what would happen once he came over to Jesus. Same dynamic as Sirach 2:4 and Sirach 3:22?

2.           Chances are that the child was probably doing something else he would rather have kept doing, and may have been reluctant to come with Jesus.

3.           But because he did come, the child was part of something truly great: he was part of an illustration that has had—and continues to have—tremendous impact over the years.

4.           The child was able to be a part of that because he was close enough to Jesus to be available.

5.           We should not be too proud to learn from the examples of those that society (and even ourselves) considers to be our inferior.  Same dynamic as Proverbs 6:6-8 and Proverbs 30:24-28?

What Scripture says about Work—We gotta do it.

First things first—we have to work. It’s unavoidable. We were intended to work before the fall. Genesis 2:15. That mandate was reaffirmed after the fall. Genesis 3:17-19.  It continues after Jesus’ incarnation.  2 Thessalonians 3:6-12. That reality is enforced by an unavoidable incentive system. God provides positive reinforcements for working.  Proverbs 6:7-8,  Proverbs 10:4,  Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 20:13, Ecclesiastes 3:22, Ecclesiastes 5:12, Ecclesiastes 5:18. See also Proverbs 16:26. He also structured the world to provide negative consequences for failing to work. Proverbs 6:10-11, Proverbs 10:4-5, Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 18:9, Proverbs 19:15, Proverbs 20:4, Proverbs 20:13, Proverbs 21:25, Proverbs 24:30-34,  2 Thessalonians 3:6, 10-11.

So why did God structure things that way? Three things come to mind.

One is so that we will be more accurate reflections of God. We are created in the image of God, Genesis 1:27, and God works. We see that in the creation accounts; he worked hard for six days. Genesis 2:1-3.  It is implicit in the sabbath command. Exodus 20:11. We see it in the scripture referring to “the work of his Hands.” Job 34:19, Psalm 111:7. 

Another is that it makes us more effective at accomplishing one of His purposes for us—to deliver His love in various forms. We obviously get more of that done if we are working than if we are not, so it makes sense that God would instruct and incent us to work.  

A third is that it gives God another vehicle for giving us joy. We feel satisfaction and joy when we do a good job at something, and when we see others enjoy the results of our work. God's incentives to work are incentives to experience that joy.