Jesus and the Children
“ At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.””
Matthew 18:1-5
The disciples of Jesus asked him a question that maybe you’ve wondered about too. “Who is the greatest?” We could anticipate a good teacher to say that the greatest is the one who follows the rules and does good things. But Jesus isn’t just a “good teacher” - Jesus is God! And God said that those who become like children will be the greatest. This doesn’t make much sense. Children are fun - but they’re not always great. They don’t follow rules too well, either.
Jesus does the unexpected. He challenges his followers to become lowly and to welcome the lowly. In becoming more like children, God is asking us to trust him, to listen to him, to surrender to him, and to obey him.
What would it look like for you to change and become more like a child today?
Prayer for Today
God, I’m so thankful that you love me as your child. Help me to trust you with every area of my life, help me to surrender the control that I never really had to begin with.