Learning From a Child
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?' And calling to him a child, he put them in the midst of them. (Mt. 18:1-2)
Mt. 18:1-4, 10-14; Mt. 23:12; Lk. 22:24-26; Mk. 10:15; Prov. 25:6,7
What Is God Saying?
The disciples were getting to know Jesus more and more (though perhaps not better and better). They traveled with Him, talked with Him, listened to Him, and they felt that the Kingdom of Heaven was starting to take shape. It was so real that they wondered who would make it big in that realm. They had been special companions of Jesus here, and special recognition there would be nice, and (come to think of it) only fair. So they wanted it settled once and for all. They went to Jesus with the big question, ‘When we get to Heaven, who will be the greatest?’
Jesus' answer was to give them an object lesson, one they couldn't misunderstand and would never forget. A small child was placed in their midst. Greatness would be determined by the degree to which a person could humble themself to a childlike eagerness, innocence, and trust. More than greatness is involved. Admission to the Kingdom required turning from pride and ambition and becoming like children.
How Does This Apply To Us?
This was a direct answer to the disciples and it comes with equal directness to us. The door to the Kingdom answers to the gentle knock of a child. We are not called to be childish, but childlike. It is childish to want to be the most important and the most honored. It is childlike to accept in trust all the bountiful gifts of God. Earthly ambitions, jealousy, and pride will lie in ashes when we are at home in glory. Jesus drives home this truth with the gentleness of a child's presence. To be childish is to be immature. To be childlike is to be mature. The measure of greatness in Heaven is proportionate to the measure of childlikeness here on earth.
Pray With Me
Lord Jesus, You love everyone in every circumstance and at every stage of life, but I sense that You have a special care and a tender openness toward those who stand at the dawn of life. They have trust that disappointment has not yet blighted. They have faith that betrayal has not yet turned to bitterness.
It was a child that You called to demonstrate the beautiful, unshadowed, and enduring realities of Your Kingdom. You gave Your disciples a glimpse of Heaven through the eyes and the innocence of a child. In that child, You held before them a design for a better life now and forever. You said childlike trust and childlike love were both necessary and possible. You told them to turn and become like children.
Today, dear Lord, I want to be as a child. I want to come to Your side, not to prove a point but to receive a blessing. I want to lay aside all doubts. I want to believe that truth is truth, that good is good, and that there is a love that never fails. I want to believe that my heavenly Father is always able, always willing, and always near. I want to believe I have a Friend who will never leave my side even when I stray from His side
I am willing to become a child again if I can be a true and trusting child of the heavenly Father, a true and trusting friend of the best of all friends, and a true and trusting disciple of the Master. On my way to Heaven, I will find it, as a child, to be Heaven all the way.
In the name of Him who loves all who are not children until they become as children. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Childlikeness prevails in my prayer. Childishness prevents availing prayer. Childlikeness says, ‘Thy will be done.’ Childishness says, ‘My will be done.’ Childlikeness says, ‘I trust you, Father. Who knows better than You what I need and when?’ Childishness says, ‘I want It right now. Who knows better than I what I want and when?’ Is it time to turn? Is it time to say, ‘I trust You, Lord, all the way through this life to the Life.’
