Matthew 18:1 - 5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Questions:
ReplyDelete1. How do we change and become like little children?
2. What is the position of the child?
http://www.bible-studys.org/Bible%20Books/Matthew/Matthew%20Chapter%2018.html says:
ReplyDelete“Become as little children”: This is how Jesus characterized conversion. Like the Beatitudes, it pictures faith as the simple, helpless trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. Like children, they have no achievements and no accomplishments to offer or commend themselves with.
Little children have a special humbleness and are easily taught. Most adults are not this way. When a person is converted, it means he turned from his old ways and starts out brand new. A little child is enthusiastic and eager to learn, and has a love that is forgiving. He has simple trust.
Paul thought himself to be the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, and unworthy to be called an apostle.
And yet he had the largest measures of grace, the greatest gifts and abilities; and was honored with the greatest usefulness and success in the preaching of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners, and planting of churches; laboring more abundantly than they all.
Humbleness is the most important thing. We must not think too highly of ourselves, but instead, decide of our own free will, to be totally controlled by the will of God.
When you receive a little child, you can't expect to get a reward in return, because he has nothing to give but himself. Helping a child of God, expecting nothing in return, brings a satisfying feeling. It, also, stores up treasures in heaven for you.
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40.
God is the rewarder of those who love and care for His children.
http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-matthew-18-1-5.htm says:
ReplyDeleteJesus and His kingdom IS NOT ABOUT the ranking of men from greatest to least; His kingdom is not like the governments and political administrations of men - - where power, money and numbers enjoy more influence than character and virtue. No! This King and this Kingdom is about changing your life and serving the Lord "unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
The disciples had their mind of competition instead of conversion and in that regard, they were unenlightened, carnal and immature.
This King, Jesus, and this Kingdom is about changing your life, not out-doing your brother!
And I think it was intended for us to notice THE NECESSITY OF CONVERSION IS ILLUSTRATED BY CHILDLIKE HUMILITY; infantile humility! Babies are dependent; they are teachable and innocent; very open about their needs, and they are not generally clamoring to out-do other babies and attain loved. They want to live and learn. These are kingdom qualities!
In order to be in the Lord's kingdom I have to change! I must give up that competitive drive to be better than others; I must come face to face with my dependence, be open about my spiritual needs, and be willing to listen and learn and be governed by the King, Jesus!
I must be converted: From pride to humility . . from worldly ambition to spiritual ambition . . from godlessness to godliness. I MUST BE CONVERTED; Jesus said, you must be born again!
This childlike humility; this PURE, INNOCENT, WILLINGNESS TO SERVE must be a permanent, constant part of our character throughout our lives as the Lord's people. This humility; this pure, innocent, willingness to serve not only brings us into the presence of deity . . It keeps us in that fellowship. This infantile humility is the basis of our constant connection to the Lord.
My 2 cents:
ReplyDeleteSo many of the articles I found waxed on about a child's innocence and purity. I call bull. There hasn't been a child I have seen that hasn't been selfish, deceitful, fallen (just like all humans).
When Jesus is telling us to be like little children, I believe that He is not telling us to be pure and innocent (although, He does tell us to be that way throughout the Bible). He is telling us to be dependent and needy for our Father. Until we come to know our helplessness, we cannot accept God's grace. Until we realize our need for Christ, we don't need Him. A child cannot imagine life without his parents - even for a little while.
I think this distinction is important. If we think that Jesus is telling us to be pure and innocent, we will try to act that way - trying to earn our way. I believe that most (American) Christians have this problem. They try to be good, compare themselves with others, and become satisfied with their score they assigned themselves.
A true child of God fully realizes that they are helpless, and that the only way they can become pure and innocent is if God transforms them. A misunderstanding Christian strives on their own to transform themselves into the picture that the Bible paints of a transformed person.
If we miss the point on what Jesus is saying here, we will use the very words of Jesus to go astray.