Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 18:10
Remember that Jesus is talking about spiritual little ones – not necessarily young children. You can be spiritually young and not be physically young (and vice versa)!
This verse has been taken out of context to say that little children have guardian angels. First, the previous text refers to the spiritually young, not to little children. And Jesus seems to indicate that these angels are reporting needs and issues in followers' lives directly to God.
Now there's not much said about angels in the Bible. But there are references to know that angels exist as servants of God, that they bring messages from God, and that they can disguise themselves as people. But whether we have an angel assigned to us specifically, I can't tell you. We are also told that near the 2nd coming of Jesus, many will worship angels and turn away from worshipping God. So, let's not focus on angels. But it is comforting to think that we might be surrounded by angels who report directly to God.
Read Matthew 18:11
This verse may not even appear in your Bible, because it does not appear in the earliest manuscripts. Scholars tell us that it has been added by scribes later. Therefore, most Bibles either delete it, or put it in brackets to indicate that this is not in the original manuscripts of the Bible.
A little history. These books were first written by their authors probably on papyrus scrolls. Then scribes copied them by hand so that they could be shared with others. Until the first Bible was printed in 1455 on a printing press (the Gutenberg Bible), all the copies were made by hand. That's 1400-years-worth of copies! The surprise should not be that an occasional addition or subtraction was made by a copying scribe. The surprise, shock and awe should be the amazing accuracy that was maintained. As older and older manuscripts are discovered by archeologists, the accuracy of these documents is amazing and profound!
So, apparently Matthew 18:11 is a duplicate of Luke 19:10 and was added here by a well-meaning Scribe, but it is not in the oldest manuscripts. The NIV translation, which I am using for this study omits it. Because it is a duplicate, we'll discuss it later.
Then Jesus tells a parable that is recorded in both Matthew and Luke. It has two possible interpretations and these interpretations lean heavily on the introduction to the parable. I'm pretty sure that Jesus told this parable at two different locations and times.
Could He have told the same parable on different occasions and given it two different meanings? I suppose it's possible.
I want us to look just at the introduction given to this parable and let you decide the interpretation that sounds best to you.
Re-Read Matthew 18:10
Without reading the parable, what would you guess by this introduction that the parable is about?
Read Luke 15:1-2
This is the introduction to the 2nd occurrence of this parable. Without reading the parable, what would you guess that the parable is about based on this introduction?
Matthew 18:10 makes me think that the parable will be about “little ones”, that is, immature or new followers of Jesus. Luke 15:1-2 is less specific, but states that it is about sinners repenting. Most interpret this parable to be about empty people who need to learn about Jesus and how to invite Him into their lives.
Now let's read the parable recorded in Matthew first.
Read Matthew 18:12-14
In light of Matthew's introduction, I believe that this parable is about “little ones.” I would like us to dig a little deeper.
First, who owns the lost sheep?
The man. So, this is not a stray sheep – he belongs to the man and to the flock.
Where was the sheep before he wandered off?
He was with the other sheep. Again, pointing to belonging.
Then look at Matthew 18:14. There's that phrase again, “these little ones” which Jesus defined earlier as new or immature followers who were young spiritually.
I feel that Jesus is saying that He's the Great Shepherd and He is very interested in your inviting Him into your life. But once you have invited Him into your core, He's just as interested in your growth and development as He is in your beginning. He wants you to become all that He intends for you and not waste your life by stumbling and wandering in and out of the fold.
You may have never met a mentally person who lives in an adult body but has a child's mind. I have, and it is a very sad situation that sometimes happens in life. But even, sadder is when a young follower of Jesus never develops into a mature follower but spends all his/her life wandering and stumbling. They never develop to the point of letting the Holy Spirit control their lives, so they miss out on all the peace and love and joy that He brings.
The word perish has two meanings in Scripture – one is permanently ruined for all eternity. The 2nd meaning is temporarily spoiled or ruined for God's use in the present world. If we are talking about “little ones”, then we must assume the 2nd meaning.
Now let's look at the same parable recorded by Luke.
Read Luke 15:3-7
There have been many songs and books written and sermons preached about the little lost lamb. The interpretation being that Jesus was talking about people who are empty being found by Him and inviting Him in – so that now they are filled with Him and safe in the fold.
Who owns the lost sheep?
Where was the lost sheep before he was lost?
But, like I said, many believe He is talking about filled and empty not mature and immature. They base this belief not only on the introduction but also on the phrase in Luke 15:7 that says that God rejoices over a sinner repenting. I believe that could mean either an empty person becoming a follower of Jesus or a struggling immature follower repenting of following SELF. Both fit into God's character, so you can believe either way!
Some things we won't know until we get to Heaven. But that's okay.
And maybe Jesus really did intend for the parable to mean both!
To me, this parable reminds me that I need to spend time caring for new followers who need to learn to hear the Holy Spirit's instructions and grow in their faith and trust in Jesus. And it shows me Jesus' great compassion and care for those followers of His who stumble and stray. He loves you and seeks you and desires your return to the abundant life that He offers.
In His service, dale
Next study