Christ Commands

Scripture

Primary passage

Matthew 18:10–14

10 See that you don’t 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. 11 For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost. 12 “What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? 13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Primary passage · World English Bible

The command

Hear what Jesus commands.

Do not look down on vulnerable or wandering little ones; value them as the Father does and seek their restoration.

In context

Hear the whole passage.

Jesus warns against contempt and tells of a shepherd seeking one wandering sheep because the Father does not will that a little one perish.

What this reveals

What this reveals about God.

Jesus forms communities that notice, protect, and pursue people who are easily dismissed or lost.

Practice this command

Take one concrete step.

Identify one vulnerable or drifting person you have overlooked. Make safe contact, listen, and offer one appropriate act of support without trying to control the response.

Discuss

Talk about it.

How does contempt show itself subtly, and what would it mean to value the one person who has wandered?

Pray

Pray this.

Father, free us from contempt. Give us your attention for vulnerable people and your patient desire for restoration.

Teach

Teach it simply.

Connect the command to protection and restoration; seeking the wandering never excuses coercion or unsafe pursuit.

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