Matthew 18 1-5
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 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.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 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.
7 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!)
1. The disciples were wondering who would be the most important person (human being). they were thinking in very human terms. Expecting Jesus to give them a name of a person, be it one of the disciples or an old testament prophet or leader, Jesus did something quite surprising in their eyes.
2. He called over a child and used the child to teach them about being one of His followers. In Jesus day amongst the Jews children below the age of 13 had no rights. In some ways they were not even considered to be people, but they needed to be taught how to behave. A Jewish father was responsible for teaching and training his sons. It was expected that the child would learn and later practice his father’s trade or profession. Peter was a fisherman and so was his father. Even Jesus was known as the son of a carpenter. Schools like the ones we have today were not known or run then. After 13 they were adults. In Victorian England children were allowed to be seen and not heard. They were often dressed as if they were miniature adults and in middle or upper class families were expected to behave with decorum. Working class children were sent to work and exploited.
3. Today it might be possible to say that children here in the west are spoiled. They have the latest gadgets and hundreds of toys. Many children today appear to rule the home and go their own way. Many are self centred and stubborn and wilful. Jesus was not referring to these characteristics of children’s behaviour
4. Which of these was Jesus referring to? Or was He talking about something else? I believe Jesus was referring to an intrinsic quality of childhood which is just as true today as it was then. And how is it possible for an adult to become as a little child?
5. Here I’d like to tell a story. Once sitting in the back of a church I saw a father and child. the father was clearly a man used to working with his hands, which were big and calloused and indeed he was a strong muscular man. As the service proceeded the little boy took his father’s hand and turned it palm upwards on his lap. He made a thorough examination of his fathers hand, with his own hand and with his eyes. After examining his father’s hand he placed his own hand on top of his father’s hand and compared the two hands for size and strength. The little boy then smiled and leaned back against his father’s chest. He knew he was safe and secure. Not a word was said between them the whole time.
6. We can learn two things from this, one; the child knew his father, and two; that he knew he could trust his father. That he was safe.
7. On another occasion I was at a house meeting, we had been talking a discussing the scriptures when suddenly a young child got up, walked across the floor, climbed into my lap and went to sleep. Every one was surprised as the child had never behaved like this before with any one else, let alone with a stranger.
8. But as we grow up, especially today, we do not wish to give up our independence, our ability to decide and plan for ourselves. This is achieved by rebelling against the authority, guidance and control of our parents or other authorities even against the society in which we live. By not trusting God, we continue to rebel against HIm.
9. Humans have rebelled against their creator/Father for centuries, both collectively and individually. It is this that Jesus was saying. Turn back to your Father and trust Him as a little child should be able to trust his/her biological father. It is not a question of becoming childish, but God’s desire for us to become childlike in our love and trust of Him. Acknowledging with our hearts, spirits, minds and mouths that His wisdom, power and love are greater than we can understand or imagine. That we do not need to know or understand Him and His love for us, it just being enough to rest in that love and the security which it brings into our lives.
10. Too often we try to relate to God as if we are His equal or even as if we feel that we are superior too Him. In order to be able to come to Him, we need to recognise Him in the way Jesus did and advised us to. As Abba, not just father, but as Dad or Daddy. trusting Him completely to provide, protect and minister to our every need.
11. According to Jesus if we stand apart, or try to stand on our own strength and wisdom we will be just that. Apart from God. Let us each come to the Father as His child. seeking His love, His wisdom and His provision for our lives.
Amen