Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

At that time, the disciples approached Jesus and asked, "Who is considered greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a young child to himself and stood them among his followers.

"Unless you turn and become like little children," he said, "you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles themselves like this child is the greatest in the kingdom." He added, "And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

But Jesus warned those who would lead others astray, saying it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and be thrown into the depths of the sea. The world will inevitably experience offenses, but woe to the person through whom they occur.

"If your hand or foot causes you to stumble," Jesus said, "it is better for you to lose them and enter life maimed than to keep both and be cast into eternal fire." He also warned, "If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away; it's better to enter life with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two eyes."

Jesus instructed his followers to beware of despising any of the little ones, because in heaven their angels continually behold the face of God. He emphasized that the Son of Man has come to save what was lost.

To illustrate this point, Jesus asked a question: "If a shepherd has ninety-nine sheep and one goes astray, won't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost?" And if he finds it, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.

Jesus said it's not God's will for even one of these little ones to perish. If a brother sins against you, Jesus instructed, "Go and show him his fault between you and him alone; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother." But if he refuses to listen, take one or two others with you, and if he still won't listen, treat him as an outsider and a sinner.

Jesus also taught that whatever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever is released on earth will be released in heaven. He said, "If two of you agree on anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." And he promised to be present with his followers whenever they gather in his name.

Then Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me?" Jesus replied, "I don't say seven times, but seventy-seven times." To illustrate this point, he told a story about a king who took inventory of his servants. When one servant owed him ten thousand talents but had no way to pay, the king ordered him to be sold along with his family and possessions to settle the debt.

But the servant begged for mercy, saying, "Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay everything back." Moved by compassion, the king forgave the debt. However, the forgiven servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence. He seized the man and demanded payment, but refused to show compassion when he was asked for mercy.

When this incident came to the attention of the king, he was enraged and handed the unforgiving servant over to the tormentors until he paid in full all that was owed. Jesus concluded by saying, "My heavenly Father will also do to you if from your hearts you don't forgive each one his brother their trespasses."