Loving His Little Ones | Mt. 18:10-14

Below is my sermon from this past Sunday, from Matthew 18. It was my first sermon back after returning from sabbatical. You can listen to the audio here.  You should also consider subscribing to our podcast here.

It’s good to be back. For those of you who didn’t know, I was on sabbatical this summer - from Karis and this pulpit. I’m so thankful for all the guys who preached while I was gone - especially Aaron who took on most of the load. I’ve had the opportunity to listen to most of the messages. And I’d say we’re very blessed here in Karis. It’s an honor to be a part of our team of preachers and open God’s word with you again today. And it’s great to be wanted, I think, but not really needed.

Let’s dive in. Last week, when I was listening to Bobby, I was struck by how weird it all might sound. Eternal hellfire. Yeah that was the subject. Jesus’s words, not Bobby’s. But weird - at least perhaps in modern ears. And then as I looked ahead to today’s message, and the next several here in Matthew, I was reminded of just how counter-cultural it all sounds.   

Now the early church was definitely looked at as odd. They cared for the poor and outcast. They didn’t throw their babies in the ditch, like the rest of that world. They instead took those infants in. They didn’t care about class or gender or race. Everybody was treated the same. And husbands and wives only had sex with their spouse. And that then, like now, was a really big deal. But what was perhaps most striking was their family life together. The community they shared. As early African pastor Tertullian once put it, the world around them would say, “Look… how they love another… and how they are ready to die for each other.”    

Now, as we’ve seen here in Matthew, Jesus came to earth, establishing a kingdom. A new way of doing things. Really the way things were always meant to be. And the early church took that and ran with it. And it’s what we’re called to live out, as well. And nothing was maybe more striking, in that proud Roman world, than the way they thought about themselves, and the way they looked at one another.

Today, arrogance is expected. It’s even celebrated. We platform, we empower, the most proud among us. Looking down on others, and especially the weak among us, is just what we do. Disdain. Dismiss. People made in God’s image. Children He has redeemed. It’s just normal. In modern-day America. And sadly, too often, in the church. We look just like the world. But I want us to reclaim the portrait of Christ’s disciples that we see here in Matthew. Of a group that may seem weird. But also quite compelling.

These Verses in Context

Before we jump into today’s passage, let’s think about where it’s set, here in this gospel. In verse 10, Jesus says, “See that you do not despise these little ones.”

And to understand what He means, we first need to go back to the beginning of the chapter. Where the team Jesus has gathered is asking Him this: who’s the greatest? Who the top dogs are in this kingdom He brings. And Jesus grabs a kid - He brings him into their circle - and He says this, in verses 3 and 4:

Matthew 18:2 …3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus says, “This is what my disciples, my followers, are like. Little kids. Not walking around proud with their chests puffed out. Not sneering at people they think are below them. But humble. Needy.” The Lord says, “That’s what greatness looks like. Be like them. Make yourself low. That is, if you want to be in my kingdom.”

In verses 5 and 6, Jesus then tells His listeners that, when they welcome those who are humble and weak, they also welcome Him. And He also warns, “Don’t dare be anyone who would lead these kids into sin.”

In verses 7 through 9, Christ takes it further, “Don’t even be guilty of tempting those little ones.” Otherwise, you’ll be judged. But then He reminds all who’d follow Him just how vulnerable they are, too. They’re children, after all. The pull of sin and death are strong. And we have to take drastic measures or we’ll be consumed. We have to fight like hell or hell will consume us.

And that brings us to our passage today. Now at first glance, your mind might go to those who don’t follow Christ, who are, at this point, at least, outside of the church. Right? When you read about these sheep, straying from their shepherd? And the shepherd seeking those sheep out?

And, in fact, that’s how the gospel writer Luke uses this parable. But here, in our context in Matthew - that we’ve just seen - Christ is talking about His followers. These “little ones.” Christians.

And Jesus is saying, “Don’t despise, don’t look down upon, but rather lift up instead - these children, these disciples of mine.” He’s telling us to love Christ’s disciples like our heavenly Father does. He says, in verse 10, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones.” And He gives us two reasons why we need to hear His command. There’s this statement about angels. And this parable about sheep. Let’s take one at a time here today.

A Statement About Angels

So do we have any Taylor Swift fans in the house this morning? I mentioned her impact on the NFL. Now, you might have heard about a tweet - is that what you call them these days? - from just a few days ago, from someone pretty well-known. It read, “I hate Taylor Swift.” And it brought out the wrath of her millions of fans. She’d already gotten them all amped up. And now they find themselves all kinds of angry. This legion of Swifties has emerged. And this is no exaggeration: it has the potential of impacting American history.

Now I mean no offense - I don’t - to millennial and Gen Z women - and the middle-aged dads who might like a couple of her songs - but there’s an army, right here in this passage, that goes far beyond Swiftie Nation. It provides support, provides security at a whole different level.

Listen again to verse 10. This is how Jesus explains why we shouldn’t look down on His kids. “For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

Now if you read that, and thought, “I have no idea what that means,” you’re in good company. I emailed my friend and mentor, and eminent New Testament scholar, Tom Schreiner, and asked him what it meant. I do that sometimes. And here’s what he said:

“I am actually not sure. I think a case can be made that angels there refers to the spirits of human beings, but I suppose linguistically a reference to heavenly beings is more likely. If so, they seem to play some guarding function in our lives.” (Tom Schreiner)

Now I responded to him and reminded him why he was my hero - again. He walks in the spirit of this passage and says, “I’m not really sure.” Pretty uncommon, I’d say, in these days. But he also gets to the main couple of interpretations of the passage. Some have thought it means this: Jesus isn’t saying we become angels, but that our spirits, after we die, and before the resurrection, stand before the Father, and we gaze on Him continually. Now whereas that might sound true, the question is: is that what this passage teaches? I’d say, probably not.

The word here is likely translated accurately. It probably means what it says - “angels.” In some sense, Christ’s followers, even people like us, have angels with access before our Father. The language here comes from the courts of kings. Where some people - really important officials - were granted access. To see the King. To bring before him requests. Angels, it seems, are representing us. They’re giving reports about us. Maybe taking assignments on behalf of us. Now, with Tom, I’m not totally sure. But that makes the most sense to me.

But what would that communicate? Well, maybe that He values us. That His followers have dignity. Enough that the Father would have angels assigned to us and tasked to care for us.

Now a couple of things. This is where some have tried to argue that we each have a guardian angel. But there’s nothing here, or in the Bible, that seems to indicate that. Rather, it seems like the Father has an army of angels that care for us as a whole. David Platt speaks in a language at least I understand. Angels, he says, play more of a zone defense than man-to-man.

Hebrews 1:14 asks this question and teaches us about angels. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” Ponder that! Spiritual beings sent by God to serve us.

Now here’s another needed point. My mom used to collect angel figurines. Our house had creepy, chubby, winged creatures perched on about every shelf. But angels in the Bible are nothing like that! They’re not cute and harmless. Even often depicted as quite scary. Not assigned to make sure you find Mrs. Right! They’re filled with might, and they exist and are sent to keep our hearts safe. As Tom put it, “They seem to play some guarding function in our lives.” God protects us through them. And that leads well into our next point.

But first, here’s what I think Jesus is saying. “Don’t look down on these kids. Don’t even think about it. My dad’s got an army. They’re assigned to them. They report to Him.” That’s how much He values His children. That’s how much dignity we have as the redeemed. That’s what this statement about angels seems to communicate.

A Parable About Sheep

So let’s move on to the second thing Jesus brings up - a parable about sheep. Now sometime this summer, Amy and I watched through a series of movies again. Maybe you’ve seen Taken, where Liam Neeson has this “very particular set of skills.” His daughter gets kidnapped, and he crosses land and sea, displaying, it seems, every single one of those. He leaves everything behind. Nothing gets in his way. And He brings her back.

That’s the picture we see here. Except God’s way more powerful. And He doesn’t break any laws. But He’ll fight through any high water so that we’d never come to hell.  He asks this question, that we see here in Matthew 18:12.

Matthew 18:12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?

The question, of course, is meant to cause an affirmative answer to pop in our heads. Certainly to the people Christ talked to in that day. Even to us, who haven’t spent much time around sheep. Of course, he will! A human shepherd will run after that sheep. Therefore, how much more will the good and perfect God who cares for His flock?

Now a few years back, we walked through the gospel of John. And this parable reminds me of some words in chapter 10. Listen to Jesus in verses 14 and 15:

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

He’ll give His own life to rescue every last one. And then we see these amazing words in verses 27-29.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Now these words point to what this parable really teaches. Of the great security we have in Christ. If we’re truly His, He won’t let us go. And He pursues us, just like this lamb in this parable. He won’t give up. He’ll keep running after us. He values us, His “little ones” just that much.

A few years I was sitting in a sports bar in New York’s Upper West Side. I was watching the NBA playoffs, and I looked over and saw a familiar face. It was a man named Ryan Ferguson. Have you heard of him? Around 20 years ago or so, He was convicted and jailed for murdering a Tribune sports reporter here in town. His friend he was with that night implicated them both. Well, he continued to claim his innocence. And his dad famously wouldn’t let it go.

Maybe you’ve seen a documentary or news special about Bill’s pursuit. Because of it, Ryan was there, in that restaurant, rooting against the Celtics. As it says, down in verse 14, “So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Our security is that high. He pursues us with an even more relentless love.

But you might respond, “I’ve seen Christians walk away many times. Did God not come and get them?” And this isn’t easy, but it clearly indicates their faith was never genuine. That their hearts had never been truly changed by grace. It brings to mind 1 John 2:19, where John, talking about those who had strayed, says this:

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

One point of clarification I really should make. Sometimes this security really gets misconstrued, and it’s taught like this. If God rescues me, then I can live however I want. I’ll still be forgiven. But no! This passage reminds us, that yes, at times, we’ll stray. But we’ll always come back. That is, if we’re His. He’ll run after us and grab us. He’ll pull us back to Him. Where we’ll seek to walk close to Jesus, and do what our King asks. We’ll repent of our sins. We’ll seek to walk in faith again. That’s what this security looks like. Our Father doesn’t pursue us in some pathetic sort of way, just hoping and pleading that we’ll come back. He grabs us. He throws us over His shoulder. He draws us close. He puts us back among His flock. He keeps us at His side.

And as we also see in this passage, that brings Him much joy. Verse 13: “And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.” Hmmm. So is Jesus saying that that one sheep is more valuable than all the rest? No. And I’ve heard it illustrated this way.

Now it’s happened before that parents have contacted us concerned. Their child was in Karis Kids, and they had brought this stuffed animal, and suddenly it was gone. Had we seen it, they’re stuffed dog named Boogie? They’d searched far and wide. And no sign of the toy. The kid had many other similar stuffed animals, even some other dogs in his room. But the kid’s distraught. And the parents are trying to order the same thing on Amazon. But maybe it’s no longer made. Or can’t get here fast enough. But they find it. Hidden in the back corner of the closet. Boogie is back and the kid’s overjoyed! Did he really love him over the rest of his toys? No. But they hadn’t all disappeared. And getting Boogie back filled him with joy.

I love the way author Michael Wilkins explains this verse:

“The joy of finding the lost sheep does not mean that it has more value than the others. Rather, the shepherd’s joy demonstrates the depth of his concern, care, and love for all his sheep. The depth of that love is often only experienced when faced with the possibility of loss.” (Michael J. Wilkins)   

That’s the kind of joy that our Father has for us - when we come back, thanks to His work. This parable pictures how He pursues us in His power. And how much security’s in Him.

Two Audiences Needing to Hear These Words

So the Lord says, don’t despise my followers, these children I love. And there a couple of audiences that really need to hear these words. First, just like the opponents, back in the crowds, in those days, Jesus says - to the persecutors that harm Christ’s people all over the world. Or the podcasters trying to get His followers to deconstruct their faith. He says, “Don’t mess with these children. I’ve got angels keeping watch over their lives. And I’ll do what it takes - myself - to keep them from falling away.” Watch out, the Lord says. You’re playing with fire - fire from heaven.

But there’s another audience that needs to hear these words, as well. Who was Christ primarily speaking to here? His disciples. His “little ones.” Kids like you and me. Second, we who follow Jesus, who are gathered here today, we need to hear and heed what the Lord is saying right here.

What Christ’s Teaching Means for Us

Now there are two big implications of Christ’ teaching right here. A main one, for us. That I’ve already mentioned. And a secondary one. That’s also really important.

The first. Again, when Jesus says here, “Do not despise” his kids, He’s warning us not to do that. But through these two points we’ve seen, He’s calling us to go way beyond that. Right? Not hating isn’t enough. Right? Love is what He wants from us. First, Christ is telling us: love these children like our heavenly Father.

It’s easy in the church to get things upside down. And to get upset, to start playing the judge, when Christians around us stumble and struggle. To lose patience. To get frustrated. But if that’s the case, we’ve forgotten these words. And we need a reminder of exactly who we are.

Let me be really clear: Karis is a place where it’s ok to be weak. It’s a place where you can struggle. It’s even expected. We’re all going to stumble. We’ll at times all stray. We’re needy. We’re weak. We’re all vulnerable. We’re all children. And we all need help. More on that in a bit. But if your impression of church is that Christians are proud. That they’ve got it all together. And you can’t be yourself. That’s not the way of the Kingdom my King came to bring. Nothing weird about that. That’s the way of the world.

Jesus didn’t come for the strong, for the proud. The wise or the powerful. But for the “poor in spirit.” For the mourners, “the meek.” Remember those Beatitudes, way back in Matthew 5? Jesus came for those who would own their struggle - spiritually - and lean all their weakness on Him.

But there’s a reason why scholars argue about a point. Is Jesus in Matthew - and especially over in Luke - talking about spiritual struggles, or maybe material ones instead? It’s because for the most part it was all one, big weak group.

Think about the crowds that came around our Lord. They weren’t people of power, those of noble birth. No. They were the poor, the disabled, the outcasts, the unclean. The last, the least, the lost. Those are who flocked to this Shepherd. And He responded in love.

I also want to be clear about another really important point. In Karis, not only is it a safe place to struggle. But we welcome those the world tends to despise. Period. Exclamation point. ALL CAPS. The hateful language that’s being thrown around today, even by those who would say they are Christians, is just wrong. It’s evil. It goes against the way of Jesus. Who came for the weak and the vulnerable. It goes against the grain of the ways of His kingdom. And if you’ve ever worked with wood, what happens if you go against the grain? You mar it. You harm it. You destroy its beauty. And that’s what those words are making of our faith. We’re meant to love in a way that’s weird. Rejoicing like our God. Not acting like Romans back in 58 A.D.

Here’s what Jesus is calling us to. Treating His kids with dignity. Valuing them like God does. They’ve got angels before His throne! And fighting for their security. Pursuing them like our God. Not giving up until they’re back. And rejoicing when they do. Yes, He uses us as His means - to serve and love His children.

Here’s a secondary implication, that flows out of the first. Second, Christ is inviting us: receive the Father’s love through His children. Yeah, Jesus is telling us to love His children - to lift them up, to not put them down. But you know, we’re all kids ourselves, and we have need of that, too.

We need reminders of who we are. Our dignity. Of how much value we are. When we’re really down. And can’t seem to get up. And we need instruments to work for us, as well. We need to be pursued. We need others to keep us secure. To not let go. When we feel like we can’t hold on. Karis, we must increasingly be a place where we don’t give up on each other, but also a place where we realize just how much we need each other, as well. Right now, there are members we are pursuing. We’re living out in real life what we see here. You need this, too.

Matthew 18 and Membership

Here’s something that’s weird - in the world we live today. Church membership. Right? In our culture, we want to remain independent. We try to be strong. We like to keep our options open. To not find ourselves ever too tied down. We want to be free to cut our losses and jump ship at any time. But if we read our Bibles, and really look at this text, we see so clearly our need. We’re weak. We’re dependent. We’re children. And we need to be committed to a church for our good, for our growth. Not just for them, but for us, just as much.

Now you might say, “You can do this without membership.” But really? Who walks up to someone from another church and tells them they need to come back to Christ? Sure, we have friends in other churches, and that can happen at times. But when we join a local church, we make promises to one another. We make a commitment to care for our brothers and sisters, even when things get hard. And we ask them to make that same commitment also to us. It’s a massive safety net for you and for me. People have our back. And we have theirs. When you or I struggle and stray, and we try to disappear, we give permission to others to come and get us, to live out this passage here. It just doesn’t work well without formal membership.

But you also might argue, “Membership’s not even anywhere in Scripture.” But, on the contrary, it just seems to be assumed. Christians are a committed part of local churches. Or something’s really wrong. Leaders have responsibility over certain sheep. And those Christians are called to submit to those leaders. There are lists of believers that we see here in the New Testament. And it seems from passages like this, and the one we’ll see next week, as well as others all over Scripture, that we have to know who we’re committed to, and who’s also committed to us. And it’s clear in church history that commitment was expected.

You also might say, “I’m good. I’ve got this. I’m fine on my own.” But you’re wrong. There’s only one person who took on Satan alone. And that was Jesus. And no, you’re not Him. Yes, you have the Holy Spirit, if you’re a Christian. That’s true. But the Spirit is about building a spiritual house - of His people together. And He again uses means - angels, yes, and Christians, too - to keep people safe, to call people back. I’d plead with you, even if it’s not here. Find a church where you can commit yourself. It’s for your eternal, spiritual good.

This passage isn’t talking to other people, to the weak. You are the weak. We all are. So am I. The “little ones.” Trying to do Christianity alone isn’t just unbiblical. It’s dangerous. We need others to be responsible for us. And if you’re a child of our Father, you are aware of your need. You’re humble. You’re weak. And you won’t look down on others. Or puff up yourself. It’s our pride, friends, that will get us killed.

The Verses to Come

Next week, we’ll look at verses 15-20. Whereas today, we see our calling, where our hearts all should be, next week, we’ll look at our approach, almost a gameplan God gives. How do we go about pursuing people with our Father’s love?

Our next passage lays that out. It’s the hallmark passage on what’s been called church discipline. And it really doesn’t get much weirder than that.   

The Weirdness of the Way

Right? In our world today, we go our own way. Choose our own path. Freedom is the goal. I’ll do me. And you do you. And we’ll try to not get in the way - and certainly not judge. Pursuing someone and calling them back. Committing to those who will have your back. Being willing to even discipline another Christian. It’s weird.

But maybe, if you think about it, it’s actually quite beautiful. Just like last week, when we talked about hell. We all want justice. It’s wired in us by God. The thought of the oppressed being vindicated one day - it’s a good thing. And the kind of community we see here in this passage. It’s glorious. It really is.

To be a part of a family that truly cares. Who loves enough to do really hard things. Who concern themselves less with their comfort than your good. Weird? Maybe. But beautiful? Indeed. But to get there, you must have the faith of a child. Karis, let us love Christ’s disciples like our heavenly Father does - and open our hearts up to that same love ourselves. Let’s pray.