Matthew 18:1-14 – The Great Shepherd
Without conversion there is no salvation. We all need an entire change of nature: we have neither faith, nor fear, nor love towards God. Of ourselves we are utterly unfit for dwelling in God’s presence. All are born in sin and children of wrath, and all, without exception, need to be born again and made new creatures. If we want to know if we are converted, the surest mark of true conversion is humility. Like children we shall think humbly of our own strength and wisdom and be dependent on our Father in heaven.
It is a great sin to put stumbling blocks in the way of believers. How do we do this? Whenever we do anything to keep them back from Christ, or to turn them out of the way of salvation, or to disgust them with Christianity. We may do it directly by persecuting, ridiculing, opposing, or dissuading them from serving Christ; we may do it indirectly by living a life inconsistent with what we say we believe, and by making Christianity repulsive by our behaviour.
Jesus makes it clear that there is a future punishment after death. There is a place of unspeakable misery in the world to come, to which all who die without trusting in Christ will be sent.
Finally, we see that God values even the weakest believers. Our Lord Jesus is a Shepherd who cares tenderly for every soul committed to His charge. The youngest, the weakest, the sickliest of His flock is as dear to Him as the strongest; they shall never perish; none shall ever pluck them out of His hand. He will lead them gently through the wilderness of this world; He will not overdrive them a single day, lest any die. He will carry them through every difficulty; He will defend them against every enemy.
Questions
- How do we put stumbling blocks in the way of others?
- How is Christ like a shepherd?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for Christ’s love for His sheep.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.