Read Matthew 18: 1 - 14
There are two possible groups that Jesus calls "little children". Obviously, there are the physical children among us. The little ones. But there are also the young in their faith ... the babes in Christ ... new believers. And Jesus' words are equally applicable to both groups. What can we learn?
God's kingdom and the world's kingdoms are polar opposites ... in style, in thought, in philosophy ... in every way you can think of. What leads to greatness in the world ... does not lead to greatness in the kingdom of heaven. What leads to power in the world ... does not lead to power in the kingdom of heaven.
In the kingdom of heaven ... greatness is intrinsically linked to humility. And humility is dramatically illustrated by a child. Little children are dependent ... and they know it. Only as they "grow up" do they begin to fight for independence. Little children are full of wonder. Only as they "grow up" do they tend to become callused to the wonder of the world. Little children trust their parent ... even when said parent may not be trustworthy. Those beautiful qualities are worthy of the citizen in the kingdom of heaven.
- Do you completely acknowledge your dependence on your heavenly Father? Or do you still fight against any thought that you are dependent on anyone or anything? Be like a little child ... recognize and celebrate your dependence on the Father.
- Do you worship your Father in wonder? Or have the years grown a callousness in your heart and spirit against wonder? Can you still marvel at a fabulous tree? Can you still be mesmerized by the activity in an ant hill or a bee hive? Can sunsets still stun you? Can you still get lost in worship?
- Do you trust your Father? Or has the world convinced you that you can only trust yourself. When life becomes difficult and painful, do you thrust an angry fist at your Father, or melt into a puddle of self-pity ... or do you trust his hand on your life?
Jesus also offers severe warnings in our passage for today. Be very careful that you do not cause ... that you are not the source of a "little one's" sin. Perhaps the reference is to little children ... perhaps the reference is to those young in their faith. Which ever, don't be the one to lead another into sin. That is so sobering for us as parents! I know of nothing that will send me to my knees faster than those words from Jesus.
Our culture tends to make light of the concept of "sin". Jesus does not! This, of course, is not a literal prescription ... the cutting off a hand or gouging out an eye ... but it is a wake up call to the seriousness of sin.
- Do you deal with your sin ... or are you still justifying it and rationalizing it? Do you take 'confession' seriously? God is holy. Don't be flippant about sin ... or use it as fodder for comedy.
- Do you consistently pray that God will open your eyes to the places of sin in your life?
Lastly, I love this simple little parable Jesus told in verses 10 - 14. It is such a beautiful picture of the value of every soul. None are throw-aways. Think about a parent who has 4 children. Picture him/her taking them on a trip to the mall. One gets lost! (Some of us have been there!) How appalled would you be if that parent said, "Oh well. I have three others. Let's go home." That's the image Jesus wants us to get. That's the passion God has for EACH of us. ALL of the "little ones" matter.
So for us today ...
- God's love is patient - like training a child. Is mine?
- God's love is seeking - going out of the way, leaving the place of comfort - for one lost? Is mine?
- God's love rejoices - celebrates with every little one that is safe in the fold again? Does mine?
Our Father God ... we bow before you in humility today. You are God. We acknowledge our dependence on and our trust in You. May every word we say today ... may every action we take on today ... reflect You and your love. We cannot do that on our own. We trust you to do it through us as we submit, yet again, today.
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