Childlike Faith

Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. 10 "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Certainly, by now Peter has established himself as the pre-eminent apostle. An argument could also be made for James and John, since they were among the only three apostles taken to the top of the mount of transfiguration to see the revelation of Christ’s glory.

It would be a natural assumption on the part of some - and perhaps all - this sort of personal hierarchy established by Jesus here on earth would carry over into His heavenly kingdom. After all, isn’t that what hierarchy is all about – and hadn’t Jesus Himself indicated that what took place here in His earthly kingdom was a clear indicator of what would take place in His heavenly kingdom as well?

While it may seem strange for Jesus’ apostles to argue among themselves, I think it is entirely natural for them to at least speak about these sorts of things, which could easily lead to arguments.

The problem is it is entirely natural to argue about these sorts of things, and the heavenly kingdom is not natural at all.

To settle the issue Jesus had a little child brought to Himself and then pronounced some very profound words using the child as an example. He said, “…unless you are converted and become as little children you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” And then He said, “…whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Wow. Did you see that coming? It is the childlike nature of faith that makes brings about conversion and greatness. That degree of faith is to be protected at all costs, and anyone who would damage someone’s childlike faith is in serious trouble with God.

-Pastor Bill