Saturday, May 6 Likewise, it is not a desirable thing to my Father who is in heaven for even one of these little ones to perish.​—Matt. 18:14.

[Áine]

Saturday, May 6

Likewise, it is not a desirable thing to my Father who is in heaven for even one of these little ones to perish.—Matt. 18:14.

 

In what way are Jesus’ disciples like “little ones”? Well, whom does the world consider important? The rich, the famous, and the powerful. In contrast, Jesus’ disciples seem to be unimportant, insignificant “little ones.” (1 Cor. 1:26-29) But Jehovah does not view them that way. What prompted Jesus to talk about “these little ones”? His disciples had asked him a question: “Who really is greatest in the Kingdom of the heavens?” (Matt. 18:1) Many Jews at that time viewed position and rank as very important. One scholar says: “Men lived and died in quest of honor, reputation, fame, approval, and respect.” Jesus knew that his disciples would have to work hard to root out from their heart the spirit of competition that was entrenched in Jewish culture. w21.06 20 ¶2; 21 ¶6, 8; 22 ¶9