Matthew 18:10-14: The God Who Pursues

“See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones.”  Jesus in Matthew 18:10

This is a mosaic in the Mausoleum of Galla Placida in Ravenna, Italy.  This mosaic dates back to 425 AD.  Notice the refined Christology in this mosaic.  This is not an ordinary shepherd; this shepherd is ordained in royal robes with a luminating halo.  No doubt that this shepherd is depicted as the Good Shepherd. 

"In 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed; perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not see then what is now the most shining and obvious thing: the divine humility which will accept a convert on even such terms." (C.S. Lewis from his autobiography, Surprised by Joy. 

“I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways of my own mind and in the mist of tears… All which thy child's mistake fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home.  Rise, clasp My hand, and come." (Francis Thompson, “Hound of Heaven,” first and last lines)

These verses continue Jesus’ passionate teaching, which is spread out across  all of chapter 18.  The grand theme of this chapter can be found here in the first part of verse 10.   Jesus instructs, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones,” (v. 10).  The phrase these little ones is a reference to any and all throughout the ages who follow him.  

“For I tell you” calls attention to what is to follow and may be synonymous with “here is why” or “let me explain.”   “That In heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”  Most scholars point out that this does not teach that each person has one appointed guardian angel.   However, other verses teach that angels minster and serve “those who are to inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14; see also Psalm 91:11).   The angels who serve his followers also gaze upon the very face of the Father.   May we not make them stumble or allow them to wander.  This is the first reason of two mentioned in this passage why we should not despise any of our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

In the ESV translation, the verse count skips verse 11.  The oldest and most reliable manuscripts of Matthew’s gospel do not contain this verse. It may not be authentic but the message is still true and beautiful:  For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.  Since it is nearly identical to Luke 19:10, we can be confident in the truth of verse 11. 

Jesus continues on the theme of why it is vital that we do not despise one of these little ones (v. 10).   Here is the second reason: “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,” (vv. 12-13).

This parable illustrates why Jesus has captured my heart.  Our God is a pursuing God. In other religions God Is distant and indifferent.  In those faiths man strives to become like God. In Christianity God intently and humbly becomes a man. He paid the sin penalty in His body that we all owe and that is demanded by divine justice.   “No greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends,” (John 15:13).

In Luke 15:1-7 the same parable is used but for a different purpose.    In Luke’s gospel, the lost sheep are those outside of the family of Christ, those who are truly lost.  While here in Matthew 18, the lost sheep are those among his little ones who have wandered.   Together these two uses of the same parable paint a beautiful picture of the heart of God; our Lord pursues all men of all nations at all times with the same vigor and passion. “It is the will of our Father who is in heaven that none of these little ones perish,” (v. 14).  This glorious truth is both a call to worship and a call to missions!

A modern parable goes like this:  A man falls into a pit and cannot get out.   Someone wanders up to the edge of the pit, peers down at the man and says, “This must be God’s will.  If you pray real hard and do good works, maybe you can get out.” He turns and walks away.  Another man approaches, looks down on the helpless man and declares, “You must have done something really bad; now you must die and work it off in your next life.”  He also turns and leaves.

Another man, different from the others, approaches the pit.  “Do you want to get out?” he calls down.   “Of course,” is the weak reply.   The man lowers a ladder, climbs into the pit and rescues the dying man.  The strong man rejoices over the one he has saved!  While others walk away, the Good Shepherd “lays down his life for the sheep,” (John 10:11).