Mathew 18 Lesson

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Mathew Chapter 18 begins with an interesting question:

• “Who then is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven” - Mathew 18:1.

To understand this scripture, we must understand two things:

1. The definition of the Kingdom of Heaven,
2. That it is Jesus who answers the question in the above scripture.

DEFINING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

According to britannica.com, the Kingdom of Heaven is:

• “The spiritual realm over which God reigns as king, or the fulfillment on earth of God’s will.”  Of course, the Kingdom of Heaven will not be fully realized until the end of the world and the accompanying final judgment.    

It is worth noting how Jesus answered the disciple’s question. Jesus replied:

• “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.” – Mathew 18:3-5.

As you think about Jesus’ words from the above scripture, notice how we are commanded to be like children, which is to be humble, if we want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

DEFINING HUMILITY

It is clear from the Bible that humility is important to both God and Jesus. 

Therefore, it needs to be important to us. 

But what does it mean to be humble, in a Biblical sense?

According to christianity.com:

• “Humility is a critical and continuous emphasis of godliness in the Bible. We are called upon to be humble followers of Christ and trust in the wisdom and salvation of God. True humility is to see ourselves as we actually are, fallen in sin and helpless without God.”

Other definitions of the word humility include the following:

1. “Godly humility is being comfortable with who you are in the Lord and therefore putting others first.” (source: dougbrittonbooks.com)
2. Humility means, “Meekness, lowliness, and absence of self.” (source: gotquestions.org)

The Apostle Paul encouraged us to be humble, as Jesus was, in his letter to the Philippians:

• “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:5-7.

The Bible teaches us that we cannot enter God’s Kingdom unless we humble ourselves the way that little children do (Mathew 18:3-5).  Somebody who is humble in the Lord, seeks to glorify God, not themselves, and is constantly seeking and taking advantage of opportunities to serve others. 

Being humble is incredibly important to God and Jesus.

Those of us who are judged to have been humble in the Lord during our time on earth will find favor with God:

• “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” –1 Peter 5:5.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT HUMILITY

The Bible has a lot to say about humility. For today’s lesson, we have highlighted the following six verses:

1. “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.” - Proverbs 22:4,
2. “When pride comes, then comes dishonor; But with the humble there is wisdom.” -Proverbs 11:2,
3. “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility,  gentleness and patience.” -Colossians 3:12,
4. “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives  grace to the humble.” -1 Peter 5:5,
5. “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” -James 4:10,
6. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 14:8-11.

CONCLUSION

Humility is important to God and Jesus, and therefore, it needs to be important to us. 

In the Bible, Jesus teaches that it is impossible to enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless we humble ourselves as little children. Jesus seems to be focusing on the humility of children in the context of this scripture.

• “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.” – Mathew 18:3-5.

When we humble ourselves, we will become more concerned with glorifying God and serving others than we will be about selfish ambitions or earthly pleasures. 

It is a selfless thing to be humble, and that is the point. 

When we take the focus off ourselves and put it on God and others, we are being humble in the Lord. And that is what God wants. And that is what God will reward in Heaven.

We will reap what we sow:

• “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” – Galatians 6:7-8.

Jesus showed His humility when He spoke these words:

• “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” -  Mathew 20:28.

It is His example that we are to follow.

We will conclude today’s lesson with the following scripture from the Book of Zephaniah:

• “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have practiced His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility.  Perhaps you will remain hidden on the day of the Lord’s anger.” - Zephaniah 2:3.