THE HOLIESTCommentaries on St. Matthew
Tablet Twenty-Eight
Chapter 18
"At the same time came the disciples unto Esa, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
"And Esa called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,"
"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-4)
<1>Unless a person completely turns around from the illusion of this external world, "be converted," and becomes pure and innocent as a little child, he cannot enter into heaven (Kingdom Of Heaven within). <2>Those who truly overcome the illusion of the external world will shatter all kinds of narrow-mindedness, discriminatory ideas, and differentiation between man and man. This is the same as little children. They do not discriminate between men because their false egos have not developed yet. <3>Also those who want to enter into the Kingdom Of Heaven should crucify their false egos so that they might become like little children in heart (to be born again). <4>To become like a child does not mean to do childish things but to have a pure heart, and one who is pure in heart sees God (Matthew 5:8). Whoever sees God is in His Kingdom In Heaven.
"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." (Matthew 18:5)
<5>Whoever opens himself to such a humble and realized person in truth ("my name") "receiveth me" (the truth). He will be blessed by the realization of that person. That is why only those who receive a Realized Soul with an open heart can have hope to know his knowledge.
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:6)
<6>He who does not receive such a humble person with an open heart but offends him will create a very bad karma (sin). The burden of offending a pure in heart being and one who in truth "believe[s] in me" is even greater than having a millstone hanged on the neck and being drowned in the depths of the sea.
<7>To offend a pure person is the same as offending God.
"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" (Matthew 18:7)
<8>People in the world mock the Holy people and even kill and crucify them. They follow their blind leaders (false prophets). But woe to the leaders "by whom the offence cometh!"
"Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire."
"And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire." (Matthew 18:8-9)
<9>Even if the obstacle is the closest member in your life, it is better to cut it off and progress than to let it stay and either stop you in your path or slow you down.
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10)
<10>Be aware not to despise those who are pure in heart, "of these little ones," because they are so close to heaven (God) that anything which is done to them will create a great reaction and consequence, "their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."
"How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?"
"And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray."
"Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." (Matthew 18:11-14)
<11>Christ had come to save those who were true seekers but were lost because of the confusion of the teachings and ideas in that time. These were the ones who saw his truth, either when he was alive or after, and rejoiced in them and were saved. <12>They were the lost sheep of Israel who should have been saved, because it was the Will of the Father that those who have struggled to progress spiritually to the Father should be saved.
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
"But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."
"And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." (Matthew 18:15-17)
<13>Try to settle your differences with others secretly and peacefully. If it does not work, bring some witnesses to settle the problem. If that does not work, let the people in higher consciousness, "church," settle the dispute. If the other person does not try to come to an agreement after all this, then leave him alone and know that he is not worth the effort, "let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." <14>Do not waste your time with those who do not understand, but Love The Light in everyone!
"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18)
<15>Those who are in their higher selves are so close to God that whatever they desire will happen. However, because they are pure in heart, they never desire anything that is contrary to the Will of God and the purpose of His creation. <16>Another meaning is that: man becomes bound with his thoughts, words, and actions.
"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19-20)
<17>Those who create peace, purify themselves, and gather together in truth and purity, "in my name (
/
)," will create joy and God- consciousness, cooperation, and prosperity.
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"
"Esa saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22)
<18>Be patient in passing judgment on others and be forgiving to those who do bad to you. However, forgive not those who do bad to society.
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants."
"And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents."
"But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made."
"The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all."
"Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt."
"But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest."
"And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all."
"And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt."
"So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done."
"Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:"
"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"
"And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him."
"So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." (Matthew 18:23-35)
<19>Forgive so that you might be forgiven also.