I just came to this text from Matthew’s Gospel this morning:
“2 Jesus called a child, whom He put among the disciples, 3 and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” Matthew 18:2-5.
A few days ago I shared some thoughts about humility, but today it is Jesus’ command in verse 3 that pushed me: “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” For the past 18 months my wife and I have been helping to care for our two grandsons, both of whom are young children less than two years of age. So this command of Jesus is raw for me. For I hear Jesus clearly saying that we must change. To change is the hardest thing I have ever faced in life.To change and become like a little child suggests many things. Children thrive on observation and imitation. This is how they learn to speak and behave and react to certain situations. Children also can tell quickly if you love them. They thrive on the love of others. Children also need mature and caring adults in their life, for they cannot live alone, in isolation. They live completely dependent lives.
So in my relationship with Jesus what might I learn about His command to change and become like children? And when I speak of learning, I am speaking of my choices and behavior and living. With the Lord, I must change. And change is always in the present moment, as are our temptations and choices to sin or to follow Christ. First, then, I must observe and imitate Christ. I watch Christ by living in the Word and by imitating great Christians in my life. And to imitate Christ calls me to turn to Him each day in faithful living.
I must also speak and behave as Christ commands me to do. Jesus’ words, “lead me not into temptation” are in play here. Big time! I must also love Christ and know every moment that I am not alone, but loved by Him! And I must surround myself by mature and faithful Christians. The disciple, Paul, says it so clearly in Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men or women, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
So take to your prayer today this text above from Matthew 18, and when you are tempted to step away from Christ, call upon Him.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
1 Corinthians 10:31.
“Not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul. 7 Render service with enthusiasm, as for the Lord and not for humans” Ephesians 6:6-7.
“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s” Romans 14:8.
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