Romans 1 - Beautiful

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:20-21)

To be able to see God in nature.

To see the beauty of God in nature.

How many of us can, or actually do?

But be careful... Nature is not God. We don't stand in awe of the beauty of nature and then bow before it.

We behold the beauty in nature, and through it, stand in awe of a Creator God who has such an eye for beauty and details. That shows He wasn't hasty when He created the world. And He definitely wasn't hasty when He created us.

For You formed my inward parts;
         You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well.
(Psalms 139:13-14)

Matthew 4

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. (Matthew 4:11)

The temptation of Jesus gave us a really good example of how the Word of God can help us withstand the devil and his ploys.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

and take ..., and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17)

Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:20)
Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:22)

I find it amazing how the first disciples could just leave everything behind and follow Jesus. I wonder what were their thoughts, how did they feel? Were they apprehensive, or were they excited? Who did they really think Jesus was at this moment?

Change is always the hardest to go through. They have been fishermen all their lives, and just a word of Jesus, they have the courage to forsake all that they had, all that had defined their lives and themselves, and start anew with this stranger man? Amazing courage. Incredible faith.

Even now, I would still miss my classroom world, my students, and teaching in front of a bunch of kids. I would wonder if this change is for the better, and whether I would be missing out on anything that I would later regret. But the excitement of what may and can lie ahead still intrigues me... especially when you know you are not walking alone. Jesus is walking with you, if you allow Him to. Perhaps that was also how the disciples somehow felt, walking with this man Jesus.

Matthew 3

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:8)

It is not enough that we come before God on bended knees, seeking His mercy and forgiveness. We need to bear fruit as well. In other words, our deeds must go hand-in-hand with what we profess.

If we say we believe in the one true God, Jesus Christ, then our life must be a life of worship to Him. In all that we do, it is because of Him, and for Him.

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)

After we have believed in Jesus, do we stop there? Is it enough? Do we actively seek to please Him? In every thing that we do, do we stop to consider, "What would Jesus think? Would He be pleased?"

And how do we know what would please Him, except through the Bible?

In a Bible study yesterday, I asked a question regarding "forgiveness". I asked for the definition, and whether it includes reconciliation with the other party, because I remembered the Bible saying that when we come before God in prayer, and we remembered a conflict with another brethren, we ought to go to the brethren and make up first.

I said I need to know because I want to know what is God's standard, what does He expect from me?

I would do anything to have God say to me, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 18 - the little ones

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, (Matthew 18:2)

Ourselves as the little children

and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

Whenever I come across this verse, I always think that it teaches us to have child-like faith, for without it, we can never enter the kingdom of God. However, what is child-like faith? Just like a young child would not question his mother’s instructions, does child-like faith simply mean to accept whatever God says without questioning?

Does God need me to hop around the flowers, chase after the butterflies, or sing “Jesus loves me; this I know” so that I can skip my way into heaven?

As I read this chapter today, I realised that Jesus was not really talking about “child-like faith”; He was talking about humility.

Jesus’ disciples had come to ask who is the greatest and Jesus used a little child to warn them that their pride could cause their fall!

As one grows and matures with age, or as one gain more experience in a particular domain, it is easy for pride to develop too. Afterall, we have not gone through so much for nothing! Surely, I have had gained something which I can share with those who do not have?

How often have we looked at a younger person and think, “You don’t know about this, because you have never gone through this”? Or have we found ourselves nodding profusely at a certain topic when someone else is talking about it, or perhaps even trying to find ways to interrupt, just to show that we know too? Sometimes, it seems like we are so afraid that people do not know that we know (Yes, I am speaking for myself).

I believe that this is quite normal… because as we grow, surely the more we know. Jesus’ disciples have been following Jesus around for some time; they must have felt that they have known quite a bit! And it’s true, we do know quite a bit! It is a natural progression. Jesus acknowledged that but reminded us to also “turn back”..

and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3 ESV)

It’s like God knows that it’s only right for us to continue to grow, mature, and develop our skills and experience, however, it is essential that we remember to “turn” and become like little children.

How?

With a child’s never-saturated mind, always thirsting for more knowledge and understanding. They are willing to listen; and able to absorb.

In one word?

Humility.

Often, as we become more senior, more experienced, more knowledgeable, we get the pressure to perform as well, or at least, show others that we are that good. I have been getting this pressure lately because of a change of job which requires me to probably “know more”. And sometimes, in an attempt to show that I can perform up to the standard required of me, I think I forget what is ‘humility.’

I believe Jesus wanted to remind me that, as I continue to grow and progress in my domain, I must also “turn” and be humble like little children. Perhaps only then can we continue to grow, heavenward.

Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)

Others as the little ones

On the other hand, while we are called to be humble, what are our attitudes towards those who are in humbled positions?

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. (Matthew 18:5)

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, … (Matthew 18:10)

Who are these ‘little ones’?

I often heard of these ‘little ones’ as referring to those who are spiritually weaker or immature.

However, reading from the context of today’s chapter, could they also be the ones who are easily and often looked down upon by others because they cannot defend themselves or have no authority? Who tend to be dismissed and despised?

Perhaps they are the poor and orphaned. Perhaps they are the stricken with disease. Or perhaps they are the ‘naughty’ kids running around in church whom nobody takes their words seriously, or the overly shy teenage boy standing in the corner thinking that no one would notice him, or the old uncle who looks funny and talks funny?

Anyone who is in a humbled position. Are we able to receive them in Jesus’ name?

Are they really so lowly, insignificant?

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6)

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14)

- God cares about their souls!

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)

- Even they have angels too!

I shall not talk about doctrine regarding angels, but the fact that they have angels in heaven tells us that they too are significant in the eyes of God, just as you and I are. To the extent that the man would leave his ninety-nine sheep behind to seek the lost one (Matthew 18:12-13)!

And we should not only limit our perspective to only within the church. How about those outside church? The sick, the homeless, the hungry, the troubled, the mentally-challenged? Do you not think that they too have angels in heaven before God?

Something for us to consider, have we fallen into the trap of easily dismissing someone based on certain criteria? Have we honestly given each individual a chance to be known? Do we really treat everyone like they too have angels in heaven?