RE:JESUS - Homework: January 28–29:  Matthew 18

RE: You
When were you a sheep that wandered off? How did God get you back?

RE: God’s Word
The sheep we see today tend to be the plush ones in toy stores, but In Jesus’ day shepherding and sheep were a common visual. Jesus’ listeners would have easily tapped into both the life of a shepherd and the nature of a sheep. A GOOD shepherd was rough and tumble—sacrificial in protecting the flock. A NORMAL sheep was dumb, prone to wander and unable to defend itself. The word “weak” would easily come to mind. One of the threads through both Old and New Testaments is that of the Lord being the Shepherd and Israel being the sheep.

RE: Context
We tend to read Matthew 18:1–14 as having to do with children in the sense of age. But read the passage again and think of Jesus as using the idea of a small child as a platform to talk about humility in the life of a disciple. A “little one” is a humble follower of Jesus who believes with a childlike faith. Further, a little one who wanders off is like a follower of Jesus who leaves the fellowship of disciples and needs rescuing. This kind of little one (sheep) could very well be you and me.

RE: Response
What childlike quality do you need to recapture in your life? Why?

RE: Application
Consider your attitude toward those who “wander” —the weak, the powerless. What needs to change in your posture toward them?