In Matthew 18 Jesus says ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’
For many, this teaching seems strange because childhood is a time of growing when we yearn to become someone important in life, someone bigger and greater than we are as a child. ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ is a question many of us associate with being asked when we were children. And of course we can all remember our own childhoods, with our own dreams, ambitions and desires of growing up and making our own way in life. But this is not what Jesus is referring to when he tells us to become like children. Jesus knows that little children have a special humbleness and are easily taught. A little child is enthusiastic and eager to learn, and has a love that is forgiving. Children have a simple trust, do not desire authority, do not regard outward signs of honour, are teachable and are willingly dependent on their parents. Most adults are not this way. When we grow up and become adults we 'mature' and become different, constantly comparing our lives with others. We have our own view on everything and it seems we often have little confidence in anyone or anything - we always think we know what is best for ourselves, our friends and colleagues.
When someone discovers Jesus, it means that they turn away from their old ways and start out brand new. Surely we need to be renewed daily in the spirit of our minds that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. We should not desire to be welcomed by others because we are great, wise, or mighty, but simply because we come in Jesus name.
Dave Harding
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