Matthew 18

1-9 At the same time the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? This is something that was discussed amongst the disciples. This is also why they couldn’t cast out the evil spirit that a father had brought to the disciples while Jesus was in the mountain with the Peter, James, and John. At least they ask Jesus about it. Jesus did ask them about what were they talking about previously and they didn’t respond, but Jesus knew their thoughts.

So Jesus called a little child and put the child in the midst of them and said, be converted and become as a little children. So the question is, why a child? In Genesis 22:7-9, the bible says that Isaac ask his father where is the lamb for the burnt offering and Abraham responded and said that God will provide a lamb, but a lamb was not instantly provided. Isaac was just a youth and obedient to his father. 

At the appointed place they built the altar and laid the wood upon it. Then, with trembling voice, Abraham unfolded to his son the divine message. It was with terror and amazement that Isaac learned his fate, but he offered no resistance. He could have escaped his doom, had he chosen to do so; the grief-stricken old man, exhausted with the struggle of those three terrible days, could not have opposed the will of the vigorous youth. But Isaac had been trained from childhood to ready, trusting obedience, and as the purpose of God was opened before him, he yielded a willing submission. He was a sharer in Abraham's faith, and he felt that he was honored in being called to give his life as an offering to God. He tenderly seeks to lighten the father's grief, and encourages his nerveless hands to bind the cords that confine him to the altar. PP 152.2

Not only a child when he or she is young, but also a child of God who is recently baptized and still young in the faith. We have to be careful how we treat others because we cannot read the motives of the heart. We all meet at the feet of Jesus and we all need salvation. Whether we are rich, poor, learned, and ignorant, we all need salvation. There are people who are sincerely trying to please God with all the light they know and sometimes other christians or Satan uses others to discourages them and they end up turning into the path of the enemy. 

By "little ones" Christ does not mean babies. Those to whom He refers are "little ones which believe in Me"—those who have not gained an experience in following Him, those who need to be led like children, as it were, in seeking the things of the kingdom of heaven.—Manuscript 60, 1904.. Ev 341.1

Jesus says, if you receive them in my name, then you are receiving Him. But if you offend them which believes in Jesus, it was better that a millstone (which is used for grinding grain 24:41) were hanged about his neck and that drowned in the sea. This is very strong language Jesus is using and we ought to take it very seriously. An example is the thief on the cross.

This man was not a hardened criminal; he had been led astray by evil associations, but he was less guilty than many of those who stood beside the cross reviling the Saviour. He had seen and heard Jesus, and had been convicted by His teaching, but he had been turned away from Him by the priests and rulers. Seeking to stifle conviction, he had plunged deeper and deeper into sin, until he was arrested, tried as a criminal, and condemned to die on the cross. . RC 34.3

God looks at the heart and the contrite soul are precious in his sight. God does not look at intellectual greatness, rank, or wealth, He looks at how much do you really want to know Me and be in oneness with Christ. God rather have a meek and humble person in heart than a pride and self seeking person. 

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalms 34:18 KJV

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalms 51:17 KJV

"For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isaiah 66:2 KJV

Satan began this self seeking and prideful desire in his heart. He wanted to be like God in power but not in character. He did not want to humble himself and be content with the exalted position he held, but was banish from heaven and rebellion has not stopped since his fall.

We see instances in the bible where the offenses has occurred. In Mark 9:38, John told Jesus that he saw a person casting out devils in thy name and does not follow us and I told him to stop because he need to follow us. Jesus told him not to do that, he who perform miracles in my name is not speaking evil of me, he is doing a good work in my name that people may believe. John was showing an exclusive spirit. Just because they are not with you and conform to your personal ideas and opinions does not give us right to tell them what to do. We are not to judge and command the work and labor of God. God can do that on his own. We should be careful not to intercept the rays of light God is trying to manifest. It is a serious crime in heaven to offend those who are believers in Christ.

Christ came to save sinners at a infinite price and turning a soul away from Christ is detrimental. Then Christ added the words "Woe unto the world because of offences.." Satan is the prince of this world John 12:31 and deceiveth the whole world Revelation 12:9, he will surely and constantly oppose Christ and his followers. Satan wants to destroy the faith of God people’s and he does that through people. Just like he used Eve in the garden to make Adam eat the fruit, he will do the samething; using so called professed christians to mislead other christian. Christ is saying woe or disaster will come to that man who has taken Christ name and leading souls away from Him and misrepresenting His character.

Jesus said if thy hand, foot, or eye offend thee cut them off and cast it from thee. It is better to inherit eternal life without it then to have it and go straight to hell. Jesus is saying any habit or practice that would lead you into sin should be put away at whatever sacrifice so the soul will not be defiled. We must be careful where we go (foot) Proverbs 1:11-16; 3:21-23; Isaiah 52:7 and what we touch (hands) 2 Corinthians 6:17; Matthew 8:3, 15; 9:29, 17:7; 20:34; Micah 5:12; Genesis 20:6; 1 Corinthians 7:1 and also what we watch (eye) 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Psalm 101:3; Ecclesiastes 6:9; Matthew 5:29-30.

That which dishonors God cannot benefit the soul. The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal principles of right. And one sin cherished is sufficient to work the degradation of the character, and to mislead others. If the foot or the hand would be cut off, or even the eye would be plucked out, to save the body from death, how much more earnest should we be to put away sin, that brings death to the soul! DA 439.1

10-14 Jesus continues and says that we must be careful and mindful that we despise not the little ones, whether in age or in young in the faith. They have angels that always have access to the Father in heaven. Christ came to save sinners and those who are lost and then He gives an example of one hundred sheep and one got lost and Jesus goes and seek for it and when He finds it, He rejoices over that sheep which was lost. Which implies we should also be seeking and to bring those into the fold of Christ and rejoice that they there. 

Which means don’t despise them or judgment them on where they are at in their christian walk with Christ. Jesus is happy that they are in the fold and rejoices over them more than those who did not leave or got lost. We should be happy to see them because we don’t want any of these to perish. There should be more encouragement, motivation, and notice for those who have gone astray and are returned. Because it is not the will of God that any of those who are little or young in the faith should perish. We are all different in the way we see things because of the different circumstances and environment we are placed. 

15-20 - Jesus gives us some guidance on how to treat one another when one has trespassed against us. Not only when a sheep is lost, but also what to do on our part to regain a brother who has fault you. Jesus said go one on one and share you concern. The bible says, tell him is fault. If someone has hurt you, go to that person directly one on one and with humility share the fault that they did do you. Often times we go and tell someone else instead of telling the person that needs to hear it. THIS IS WRONG, here are some text that shows this:

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: KJV — Proverbs 25:9

He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. KJV — Proverbs 20:19. The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth. NET - Proverbs 20:19

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. KJV — Proverbs 11:13

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor; I am the LORD. KJRV — Leviticus 19:16. You shall not go up and down as a dispenser of gossip and scandal among your people, nor shall you [secure yourself by false testimony or by silence and] endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the Lord. AMP - Leviticus 19:16

But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;  12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.  13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 1 Timothy 5:11-13

We need to approach the person with meekness and love. Share the situation and if they hear you and be repented and show concern then ye have gained back that person Luke 17:3. But if they refuse, then the next step is to bring someone with you. The question is who to bring? the bible says a "witness" what is a witness? Numbers 35:30; John 3:11; 1 John 5:9; Proverbs 14:5; 1 Samuel 12:3; Acts 2:32; 3:154-15; 5:31-32; 10:39;13:31; 22:15  so a witness is someone who testifies and seen what happen. If it’s a faithful witness, they will not lie, if a false witness they will utter lies. So when we bring someone with us that person must must be a witness. 

If no one was there that witness the situation like in the story of the two women in 1 Kings 3:16–23 then bring the situation to a Pastor Malachi 2:7; Exodus 18:16; Deuteronomy 17:9-12 or a person who is not a friend of both parties that is biblical and within the church (COL 248) and non-bias. 

If they neglect to hear them, then tell it to the church. So the situation gets more and more known in the church. This also makes it more difficult to be humble. But if the person neglects to hear the church, then let that person be a heathen and a publican the bible says. We should still pray for them and be there and not totally cast them off. We need wisdom to know what to say and how to speak a word in season to those who are weary. The bible also uses the word "publican" and associate it with a heathen. A publican was considered a traitor in Israel because they were assigned by the Romans to be tax collectors. But God knows the heart and His hand is always stretched out to save and His ears is there to hear. Pharisees place publicans with the unjust and sinners, not even realize they are worst sinners themselves Luke 18:11. The bible often associate publicans with sinners Matthew 9:10-11; 11:19; 21-31-32; Luke 5:29-30; Luke 15:1. 

If you go through this whole process and have not reconciled the situation and he becomes a heathen, since this was bound on earth it will also be bound in heaven. If you are a heathen on earth, heaven will also consider you a heathen in the books of records in heaven. If the situation was resolved and loose (let go) and come together and agree and reconcile then what is loose on earth will be also loose in heaven. An example of this is in Acts 5:1, 9 they both agree and bound on earth to lie to the Holy Ghost and so it was bound in heaven. The opposite is true, if they kept the first agreement to sell the land and give all the funds to the work it would have been loose (let go) on earth and it would have been loose in heaven and they would have been blessed. Another example is John 11:44, because Lazarus was bound and in the tomb, this was final and so in heaven he was also considered bound or dead as well. But Jesus came and loose him which also in heaven he was loose and still live or let go.  So God is allowing the church to bind by law (Romans 7:2;1 Cor 7:39) the situation on earth and it will be accepted in heaven.

This statement holds its force in all ages. On the church has been conferred the power to act in Christ's stead. It is God's instrumentality for the preservation of order and discipline among His people. To it the Lord has delegated the power to settle all questions respecting its prosperity, purity, and order. Upon it rests the responsibility of excluding from its fellowship those who are unworthy, who by their un-Christlike conduct would bring dishonor on the truth. Whatever the church does that is in accordance with the directions given in God's word will be ratified in heaven. 7T 263.3
Matters of grave import come up for settlement by the church. God's ministers, ordained by Him as guides of His people, after doing their part are to submit the whole matter to the church, that there may be unity in the decision made. 7T 263.4

In the mouth of two of more witnesses every word may be established. So if two of you shall agree on earth, if a brother shall trespass against thee and you tell him his fault and he shall hear and repent, you have gained back that brother and pray together and ask the Lord for anything it shall be done of the Father which is in heaven. 

Where two of three are gathered in Christ’s name, Christ is in the midst of them. 

21-35 Peter ask Jesus how often should I forgive my brother who sin or trespass against me? and then Peter says seven times? The rabbies limited forgiveness to three times and Peter used seven which is a number signifying perfection.  Jesus says, seventy times seven. This number is mentioned in the book of Daniel. In Daniel 9:24, it says seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city. Seventy times seven is four hundred and ninety because there is seven days in a week. Since a day equals a year, God gave the people four hundred and ninety years. He gave them this time period to help them accomplish several things.

To finish the transgression

To make an end of sins

To make reconciliation for iniquity

To bring in everlasting righteousness

To seal up the vision and prophecy

To anoint the most Holy

These things have to do with forgiveness which Christ made available at the cross and that is part of the four hundred and ninety year time frame. It started in the fall of 457 B.C. to 34 A.D. at the stoning of Stephen. God even allowed more time and then the destruction of Jerusalem took place in 70 A.D. Christ died on the cross in 31 A.D. and through His sacrifice on the cross forgiveness was offered to all who will accept His atonement.

 Nobody lives for four hundred and ninety years. We don’t keep track of how many times we forgive each person that has wronged us. So Jesus is saying forgive them as much as necessary.  Then Jesus gives a scenario about a king who take account of his servants and one of them owed ten thousand talents which is a lot and he couldn’t pay it. The king said to sell him, his wife, children and all that he had so payment can be made.

The servant fell down and worshipped saying, Lord, please be patience with me and I will pay it all. The king was moved and compassionate and LOOSE him of the debt and forgave him. So the man was BOUND because he owed the king and the king LOOSE him or let him or forgave him of the debt and let him go. 

But the same servant left and found someone that owed him an hundred pence and he laid hands on him, in other words he BOUND him and said to him pay me that thou owest. The servant fell down at his feet and asked for mercy and patience and said I will pay. The man would not LOOSE him, but cast him in prison until he should pay the debt. A man seen what he had done and told the king that LOOSE him and showed mercy and forgive him and require of the man and said  "O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"  So the king was wroth and delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay. 

Then it says "Likewise" meaning in like manner, our heavenly Father do also unto you, if you don’t forgive everyone that has trespass against you. Whatever is bound on earth, shall also be bound in heaven and whatever is loose on earth, shall be loose in heaven.

Both servants said they can pay and no one can pay that debt except for Christ. Only the king who offers forgiveness can pay the debt and the King is Christ. The prayer is "Forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors" Matthew 6:12. We need to remember that God’s forgiveness does not mean we shouldn’t obey Him and fulfill our duty to Him and to our fellowmen. We don’t want to trample upon His mercy and forgiveness because God will have a time that His mercy and forgiveness will not be offered Revelation 22:11; Amos 8:11-12; Romans 2:2-9, 16; Zech 7:8-12 we see that with Saul 1 Chronicles 10:13 and with Judas Matthew 27:3-5. We find mercy and forgiveness through Christ in the sanctuary 2 Chronicles 30:8. But God is always ready to forgive and offer mercy Psalm 86:5; 78:38; Numbers 14:19; Exodus 34:6-7; Micah 7:18-19

Hebrews 10:26-31- no more sacrifice for sin - God desire mercy not sacrifice Hosea 6:6; Micah 6-6-8 to love mercy and not just keep offering sacrifice Mark 12:33

We are not forgiven because we forgive, but as we forgive. The ground of all forgiveness is found in the unmerited love of God, but by our attitude toward others we show whether we have made that love our own. Wherefore Christ says, "With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matthew 7:2. COL 251.4 

The Lord will give every man according to his ways and the fruit of his own doings. Jeremiah 17:10; 21:14; 32:19; Romans 2:6; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14