Christ—Like His Father

~ A Father’s Protection for His Children ~

The Key Passage  ~  “At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, ‘Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?’  For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom He stood in the middle of the room, and said, ‘I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.  Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom.  What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving Me.

‘But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t.  You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck.  Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time!  Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.

‘If your hand or your foot gets in the way of God, chop it off and throw it away.  You’re better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire.  And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away.  You’re better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell.

‘Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly.  You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with My Father in heaven?’” (Matthew 18:1-10, The Message).

Observations  ~  (1) A true Father is ever vigilant watching over his children.  (2) We need to not complicate simple things (i.e., the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a straight-forward thing).  (3) By observing and listening to children, adults could learn a lot about correct behavior (i.e., trust and confidence).  (4) Sincerity is a critical issue in God’s eyes.  (5) In God’s point of view men should exhibit tenderness and compassion to others—especially those who need protection.  Most importantly, (5) let God be God in our lives and recognize that we are in desperate need of Him, His love, and His protection. 

Other Key Passages  ~  Jesus said, “The Father is in Me, and I in Him” (John 10:38b).  “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?  He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, “Show us the Father?”  Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?  The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves’” (John 14:9-11).  Jesus also said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” (John 15:9). 

Application  ~  Jesus Christ is the Christian’s role model.  Do your children see the Heavenly Father in you?  Does He abide in you and you in Him? 

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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