1-6 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. – Comment: Title: Humility; Sub-title: Child abuse!
7-11 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. – Comment: The two ‘woes’ hit firstly lawmakers, teachers and societies who minimize and encourage evil practices! And secondly the individual who submits to the temptation to practice the legalized and taught sins! This second sermonette seems, whilst talking about sin in general, highlights child abuse. In modern days we have much abortion. pornography including kids, child slavery in some countries, organ trafficking etc. What is recommended in some ways on superficial reading is similar to Sharia type Law but here I think it is meant to be extreme to highlight the seriousness of these practices and make people realize that this is a ‘no-go’ path. It is hyperbole! God hates sin! 12-14 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? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. – Comment: Following on earlier the third sermonette is after the severity of God’s judgement of sin, about the seeking Love of the sheep owner who obviously represents GOD. In the Matthew record here the lost sheep seem to primarily be lambs (children), which fits in very well with the second sermonette. The Luke record of this teaching makes the lost sheep to include sinners- both make the one point about the seeking caring love of God! But note the sheep has to be found and brought back to the flock before the rejoicing begins!
Psalm 127: 3-5a – Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for our children, grandchildren and great-grandkids! Please bless those who are frustrated by their absence or heart-broken by their loss.
As I read it! 