MATT. 18:10-14
MARK 9:33-37
LUKE 9:46-50
Summary: Continuation of commentary on children and the angels that watch over them. The lost sheep vs. the 99.
The idea of "guardian angels" whether specific to individuals or as a collective force watching over believers is clearly taught here, as well as in Hebrews 1:14:
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." Mat 18:10
"Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" Heb 1:14
Despise (kataphronēsēte). Literally, “think down on,” with the assumption of superiority.-Robertson's Word Pictures
"If they are important enough to engage angels, the Lord Jesus, and God the Father, then clearly we should never despise them, no matter how unlovely or lowly they might appear." -Believer's Bible
I appreciate the distinction made in this commentary---angles are NOT spirits of the dead converted, nor does the Bible teach or support the concept of humans becoming angels. It's not scripturally accurate:
"Their angels. Not "their spirits after death," as some commentators erroneously interpret (for the term "angel" is not so used, and Christ speaks in the present tense, do always behold)."--Pulpit Commentary
"And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray." Mat 18:13
Rejoiceth more. A natural feeling. Thus a mother loves better an afflicted child whom she has nursed through a long malady, than the strong and healthy children who have caused her no trouble and anxiety. The joy at the recovery of the strayed sheep is proportional to the sorrow occasioned by its loss and the pains and trouble expended in the search; and this pleasure would at the moment be greater than the satisfaction with which the other members of the flock are regarded. -Pulpit Commentary
"His love is emotional. When He finds the wandering, straying sheep, what does He do? Does He rebuke him? Lecture him? Shake him? Skin him? No, the Word says He rejoices. When we wander away, and the Lord comes after us and finds us, there follows an emotional outburst not of anger but of joy. He gathers the straying sheep in His arms and rejoices greatly because He loves him deeply." -Jon Courson
Again, the potential offense of a matter is mentioned: "Great care must be exercised to avoid all offense."-BKC
Another great point, this one countering the dark implications of predestined damnation:
"With this text (Mat_18:14) before him, it is inconceivable that any one can hold the doctrine of the eternal reprobation of certain souls. The whole passage is opposed to the theory of irrespective predestination and irresistible grace." -Pulpit Commentary
The Bible teaches predestination in so many places, but it also teaches that God seeks the lost desperately and relentlessly. How can both be true? I'm not sure. It requires a measure of faith to process it. I think of Walt Whitman's verse, "I contradict myself, very well, I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes." Whitman's verse certainly has an eastern philosophy flair, but it points to the truth that God does not have to fit a particular box limited by the boundaries of our understanding. I think also of Hamlet "there is more to Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than is dreampt of in our philosophies..." Our understanding is limited; God's is not.
No comments:
Post a Comment