The Commands of Christ - Matthew 18:10

"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 18:10


To whom is this command given?


Jesus is speaking to the disciples (18:1).

What does this command require?


Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones (referring to the one who becomes like a little child, a Christian).

What truths do we learn here?


God places a high value on His disciples. In fact, God values Christians so much that a few verses earlier Jesus pronounced woe to the man who causes one of His disciples to sin. Crimes against Christians are especially heinous. Don't get me wrong, God views all sin as equally sinful, but Jesus says in Matthew 18:6 that whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. That is a serious statement. A few verses later, Jesus says, "Even so it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." God values His children. He doesn't want to see even one perish. Praise God that He will complete salvation for each one who believes in Him (Phil 1:6).

The second part of this verse is difficult to understand. Just looking at the plain sense of words seems to make sense, so we'll stick with it. It would seem that each one of 'these little ones' (Christians) has an angel in heaven. William MacDonald and other commentators refer to Hebrews 1:14 regarding guardian angels. This verse means what it says. Christians have angels who always 'see the face of My Father who is in heaven.' This is throne-room speech. The angels have access to God's throne-room, it seems, in connection with bringing issues regarding God's little ones before Him.

These last two commands are hard sayings to fully understand. Pray with me for understanding of these deep things of God.