Daily Manna 25 July
KEY VERSE: “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – (Matthew 18:4)
TEXT: Matthew 18:1-14
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 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. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6 “But 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. 7 Woe to the world because of [a]offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into [b]hell fire.
10 “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. 11 For[c] the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
There is a prevailing principle under heaven, which suggests pulling everyone down in order to get to the top. This principle has been practiced by most despots of the world. We have had kings and even politicians ensuring that all those who pose a threat to their reign are completely crushed without a show of mercy. Even in the field of Marketing, we find this principle at play. There is always the attempt to run down and discredit all competing and rival products in order to gain ascendency and enjoy the monopoly of the market.
The teachings of Christ run contrary to this principle! From the text, His disciples had asked Him what it will take to become the greatest. Instead of teaching them the principle of self-assertion through strife and bitter rivalry and competition, Jesus taught them the principle of humility and self-abasement. To become the greatest, you must humble yourself as a little child. For Jesus, the way up, is down!
Many Christians seem to have forgotten this timeless and well proven principle of Christ. This, however, has led to different forms of politicking and the attempt to outshine others in the various sections or departments of the church. These, so-called Christians, go about singing the praises of their personal achievements to be recognised above others. They fail to understand that by so doing, they are personally activating the self-destruct mode for themselves. This is because they are soon going to come down crashing and broken into many irreparable pieces!
Let us follow the teachings and example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He is the greatest, He became the servant to all. If we want to be truly great and enlisted in God’s kingdom, our humility must be as that of an innocent child.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Humility is the path that leads to true greatness in God’s kingdom.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 22-25
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Becoming Great – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 25 July 2021
