Children and Discipleship
In Matthew 18:1, the disciples came to Jesus, wondering who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Why would they be asking such a question? Parallel accounts show that the disciples were, in fact, fighting among themselves over which one of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of God (Mark 9:33, 34; Luke 9: 46-48). This not only showed insensitivity, but demonstrated the disciples' poor understanding of the principles of humility and love, key elements of Jesus' kingdom.
How did Jesus answer them? Matt. 18:1-4. What is it about children that make them such good examples of discipleship?
Think about the importance of what Jesus is saying. Unless we are converted, unless we become as little children, we shall not enter His kingdom. In other words, we shall be lost!
There are a number of ways to look at what Jesus said. Perhaps the key word in these texts is humble. As disciples, we must be humble, like children. We must realize our total need and dependency on God our Father, just as children realize their need of their own parents. Children cannot survive on their own; we cannot survive without God. And it is so crucial that we recognize our need. Sin began on earth with Adam and Eve thinking that they could do things their own way, apart from God.
Children often believe, even without full understanding, what we tell them. In the same way, how often must we learn to believe and trust, without full understanding, of what the Lord tells us? If we have to have everything about Jesus and salvation explained to us fully before we will believe, we will never be saved, because we will never believe. We must have the conversion that Jesus talked about, and conversion involves becoming like children, believing in what we do not fully understand. Plus, if we fully understood, then where would be the role of faith?
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