What is Little?

In this study of Luke 17:1-4, I begin with the salient points. Point one: Jesus is directly addressing his disciples. Point two: there will always be offenses in the world, that's a given. Likewise, it is a given that those through whom the offenses come will suffer greatly. Point three: in the making of this statement, Jesus points his finger directly at his own disciples by saying, “Take heed to yourselves.”

Just how bad that suffering will be is addressed in point four. Jesus tells his disciples that it would be better for them to tie millstones around their necks and cast themselves into the sea. Who is affected by the offense is part of the same statement, it is “these little ones.” Please note the use of the word 'these'.

Point five: is the example of trespass and forgiveness. Many people only see that the good Christian is someone who forgives no matter what. There is more to this example. What I would first like to note is the possibility that the words 'trespass' and 'offense' are applied as different concepts, that the offense is not the trespass but, rather, the failure to forgive the trespass. Second is the possibility that the expression “these little ones” does not apply to children but to adults struggling with faith, and who need forgiveness to grow spiritually.

The strongest points in my list of five are that Jesus directly addresses his disciples (one and three), while the most confused and confusing point is that of the interplay between trespass and forgiveness (five). The concept of 'offense' is not a point in this study but, rather, an outcome of the points in general.

What do we as seekers need to understand in regard to this study? We need to know the meanings of the words 'offense' and 'trespass'. We need a spiritual take on the expression “these little ones.” We need to understand where the word 'rebuke' fits into the repertoire of the forgiving steward.

The definition of the word 'offense' is a breach of a law or rule. One synonym for the word offense is 'sin'. However, this definition is by no means so two-dimensional. There is much more to sin than just breaking the law. A secondary definition involves the connection between 'offense' and 'trespass', and not only that but also the connection between the one who trespasses and the one who forgives.

It goes like this: annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles. You can easily see, then, that offenses and trespasses are normally found on the personal level. Some connected synonyms are anger, indignation, exasperation, displeasure, vexation, and animosity.

These mindsets, or spirits, stand opposed to the will of God in that they effectively negate the possibility of spiritual growth in the people we have set ourselves against. As an example, the Salem witches may have been struggling with their faith and had the good Christians rebuked and forgiven them, they might have moved forward spiritually. They might have become upstanding members of their community and pillars in the church.

We see in the examples given by Jesus in this study (point five), there is no option for wrath, or anger, or destructive actions. The only thing allowed here is a rebuke. Rebuke is defined as an expression of sharp disapproval. Some related synonyms are reprimand, reproof, and admonition. These actions go hand in hand with forgiveness as an outlet for spiritual growth for those who struggle with their faith.

Those who are weak and small in their spiritual stand may be considered the little ones that Jesus brought to his disciples' attention. Ask yourselves, who was it, mostly, that followed Jesus through the open countryside night and day? The multitudes that followed Jesus were comprised mostly of men. It was, after all, a patriarchal society. Of course, some women and children followed the men, but they were for the most part managed by men, possibly kept behind the press of men.

When Jesus mentioned offenses against the little ones, he used the word 'these'. Imagine, as he said this, that he gestured with his hand – a sweeping motion that took in all those with enough muscle to get a good seat. Imagine the jostling to get in close enough to hear the Rabbi. Imagine the men with their families in tow, concerned for their safety.

What is Little? I ask that in a spiritual sense. Jesus said the physician came not to heal the healthy but the sick – that is, the weak and ailing. That case is a case of a spiritual physician concerned with the spiritually weak and struggling. These little ones are you and me, who struggle with our faith, who make daily blunders and seek to be set right again.

The offense is to interfere with our spiritual progress in any way or for any rationale. If someone makes you angry or displeased, if someone vexes you, exasperates you and brings about a condition of animosity – rebuke them. Always. That should never be the end of the matter. Ignoring or avoiding them is not a state of forgiveness. The forgiveness must follow for there to be spiritual growth. The two must work hand in hand.

Ignoring or avoiding is just as much an offense as murder. Anything that keeps your brother from reaching his spiritual potential is an offense. This study concerns a warning issued to those who seek and serve God. If you are zealous about the tenets of your faith, then as a steward, you are called upon to rebuke trespasses, forgive the trespasser, and by all means at your disposal, facilitate the spiritual growth of your fellow man.