"Going Back to Go Forward: Growing up by Becoming Young" Matthew 18:1-14
Description
The disciples are trying to figure out which one of them is the greatest. Seems ridiculous, but not that far off from what we do with each other in today's world, and especially American culture of "keeping up with the Jones'." Jesus surprises us by telling us that we are to come to him like little children. That being a little child who is desperately needy is actually the ONLY way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, not by puffing ourselves up and covering over our weaknesses. He the has harsh words to say to other people who stop or reject the needy.
This section also contains the first of many "woes". He has serious words to say to the other people who stop or reject the needy. Listen in for explanations of the often confusing passage about cutting off your hand or your foot.
Then he goes on to say that He has special care and love for the one lost sheep among the ninety-nine.
How does these seemingly random stories together fit in and change your view of God has particularly gentle, kind, and accepting of the desperate and needy children? Do you identify yourself as child? How so? And if not, there is opportunity to repent of that and become a child.