Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
The verb Jesus used in verse 6 translated “offend” or, as it is in some translations, “causes to sin” was translated from the Greek word skandalise. In English we get the transliteration “scandalize” from this word. It is always used metaphorically in the New Testament and is, therefore, dependent on the context. It literally means to cause someone to stumble by placing something in their way. A person unsuspectingly walking on the right path is caused to leave that path. The context provides the who, what, when, where, and how.
In this case Jesus used a child to teach His disciples about an essential characteristic possessed by citizens of His kingdom. He said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” The disciples had been discussing who would become the greatest in Christ's kingdom. This was Jesus' response, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” So He said a person must become as a child to enter His Kingdom, and the greatest is the one who humbles himself "as this little child.”
Discussion about greatness among adults is really a discussion about power and control. Some of the most power hungry people I know are people who have been severely hurt in their lives. To them power and control are a seductive pathway to ensure the pain never comes back. Most adults dread the vulnerability of submission because it brings with it this possibility of pain. Much of today's bravado about controlling our lives is nothing more than saying, “I will not let you or anyone hurt me.”
The child Jesus spoke of was called by Him into a group of men, then Jesus set the child right in the middle of the group. The child trustingly submitted. He was innocent... trusting... and... vulnerable. Trust and vulnerability are Siamese twins. And Christ's Kingdom and Church are built on trust, and therefore must have open vulnerability to function properly. A citizen and the kingdom is scandalized when a person or another citizen takes advantage of this trust and vulnerability. Such scandal is a high crime in Christ's Kingdom.
Breach of trust is one reason we, as a people, are so hard on those who abuse children. A crime against the most vulnerable in our society is the fraying of the brightest thread in the fabric of our culture: trust. So Jesus turned his attention upon those who would take advantage of the vulnerability of children and child-likeness both in society at large and especially in His Kingdom. Read these verses and, for the vulnerable, take heart, for the offenders... fear.
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Matthew 18:8 it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
As always Larry, you are not content just staring at the surface of the rock; rather, you have to pick it up and see its underside as well as what lies beneath it. Thanks for your insight.
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