Matt 18 - I am glad to see that the disciples were competitive asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's Kingdom." Jesus's response is for them to become like a little child. The amplified bible adds that children are trusting, lowly, loving and forgiving in parentheses. If someone humbles themselves and becomes like a child will be greatest in Heaven. In reflecting on my childhood, it is kid of a blur, so I think about my children and how fast they are growing up and I wonder if one of the reason the world pushes us to grow up so quickly is to shorten that time of innocence when we can see the kingdom of God more clearly. I need to be more childlike and that is rather hard to understand. But one thing I do remember was thinking that my parents could do anything. I grew up without having everything I wanted, but my family had each other and I had faith in my family even before I knew what faith was. I need that again, Lord strengthen my faith!
Matt 19 - 26But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God.
I know this fact but still I try to handle my own life and exclude God thinking I am helping Him but that is far from the case. God, help me to not only believe that fact that all things are possible to you but help me to live my life in that way.
you know i didn't comment on this right away because i was Overwhelmed with all that was in it. i just reread and would sum it up with: jesus was constantly getting self-centered and self-sufficient attitudes from those who followed him. "what do i get out of it?" "who's the greatest?" "what can I DO to get into heaven?"
ReplyDeleteand He said "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." be like a child.
re: my search for what kind of man was jesus? much more patient than me with his friends/followers even when they were idiotic and irritating (lost sheep). he lost his temper some with the pharises, but with those who were the most part well-meaning and trying to learn, he was gentle. i should learn from that.