Matthew 18:2-4 (ESV)
2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus’ disciples on occasion were a little too full of
themselves. Jesus was a child magnet—they loved his tone and presence—but the
disciples viewed the children as a nuisance and tried to shoo them away. They
thought that discussing the faith was grown-up business.
Jesus saw children as his champions: “He called a little
child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you,
unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the
kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Mathew 18:2-4).
Jesus praised child-faith for two powerful reasons: 1) its
simplicity. Children haven’t yet learned all the scientific reasons why the
Christian faith is unbelievable. They don’t stall and argue. They just accept
it. 2) its humility. Children are used to being marginalized and ignored by
adults, and so they don’t think too highly of themselves. Jesus’ tone was sharp
with his disciples. Not only could children have saving faith, but their faith
was to be a model for adults. In fact—outrageous concept—without childlike
faith it is impossible to enter the kingdom! Not only do children bring value
to God through their service; their humble posture is to be a model for big
people.
Does Jesus have any child champions in your life who can
inspire and guide your mind-set?
Dear Lord, thank You for those little champions that You
have placed in our life. Help us to take the time to nurture them and help mold
them into the Young men or women You have planned for them. In the Name of
Jesus, Amen.
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