One day the disciples asked Jesus who is the greatest in heaven. Jesus called a child over to him and said, "Unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of God. Therefore whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest of heaven and whoever welcomes a child in my name, welcomes me." Mathew 18}1-4
Those good old disciples. Did they ask that question in hopes that perhaps they would be among the greatest in heaven? What exactly were they thinking? Were they surprised at the answer that Jesus gave them?
There used to be a time when families at dinner would make the children wait until the adults were served before the children were served. It was an old way of doing things. Kind of like that saying that "kids are to be seen and not heard."
Of course, that isn't the way it is much anymore, although I know there are some elderly men in our extended family that still adhere to that way of doing things. But the truth is, it goes way past dinner now in giving children everything they want and when they don't get it, they throw tantrums or even worse.
But those things are not what Jesus is saying here. I do think that Jesus would serve the children before the adults at a dinner. I don't believe he would give them every material thing they wanted. Tantrums or not. There has to be a balance somewhere or things can get very out of control.
Children usually start out believing in what they are told. As parents or grandparents, we have much influence on them because we can teach them from our experience. If we develop a godly relationship, we can teach them so much. And for the most part, they believe us. At least for a time, they don't start out having great expectations of us. They just trust us.
That is what Jesus was saying that day. We need to become like children who simply trust him. Who are humble. For those that have an "I am better than you" attitude and are demanding and think they deserve more than everyone else, these kinds of people will not make it into his kingdom. Those that do not think they have to be humble or make Jesus their king, these will not make it into his kingdom. And as we know, there are many people that are just like that.
That scripture does not give any clue to what the disciples were thinking about the answer that Jesus gave them that day. And it isn't even important. What is important is that children are valuable in the Kingdom of God and we need to have faith like they do or we will not make it into his kingdom. But that is indeed where we want to be.
May 2, 2019 Promise: There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18
Hi Friends. I am glad you came by and hope your spring weather has gotten off to a warm start. Living in the midwest, ours has been very iffy. Back and forth in April from nice to chilly. Today it is a really nice day so I will take that! Thanks for coming. Have a blessed day!
No comments:
Post a Comment