Knowing The Word in Matthew 18:10-14

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

10 “See that you do not despise [because they are important to the Father] one of these little ones [ordinary Christians who in their vulnerability need the care of fellow-disciples]. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. [Angels are found in Daniel 10 and 12:1 as representatives of nations. They are found in Revelation as representatives of churches. Here Jesus teaches that even individuals have their representatives in heaven before the face of God, a phrase derived from courtly language meaning to have access to the king. Even the littlest have direct constant personal access to God.] 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. [In Luke’s Gospel this parable is aimed at those who were offended by Jesus’ evangelistic outreach to undesirables. Here it is aimed at more mature Christians, reminding them that God’s pastoral care extends to all believers, especially here to the little ones, who must not be despised.]