Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the required conditions for an important place in the kingdom of heaven in these terms at Mat 18.3: “And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Indeed, a child’s image reflects naivety, spontaneity, without ulterior motive, and above all it represents purity and innocence. Rather, the disciples believed in the coming Lord’s reign and in playing an important role in it. It’s that the Eternal God has rather a very different perspective from that of men on the concept of greatness. Because what is glorious in his eyes is perceived differently by men. This is why the disciples still could not understand that the establishment of the kingdom required the lowering of the Lord Jesus to death. He therefore had to go through the “narrow gate, the narrow path”mentioned at the Sermon on the Mount(Mat 7:13).
Now Jesus calls us here to seek neither favor nor place. In this regard, we must be like children. Because to become like a child, it is to give up its projects of personal promotion, it is to take the position of a small child and to accept to be at the bottom of the social position. So their question gives him the opportunity to teach a particularly striking lesson by stating this paradox: He states this: If you want to be the greatest in the celestial kingdom, you must seek to be the last. Whoever humbles himself like this child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He shows that the standards in the celestial kingdom are opposed to those in the world. Indeed, the places of choice in the kingdom are not obtained by dominating over others. On the contrary, they are obtained by submitting to others. So our whole way of thinking should be reversed, because in order to rise, we should lower ourselves.
It should therefore be noted that the humility in question relates to the disposition of one who renounces his adult status and agrees to return to the inferior status of a child. This spirit of humility is essential to achieve greatness in the kingdom of heaven. However, throughout our childhood, we were eager to grow up in order to access the world of adults. And now that we are there, the Lord asks us to come out of it and “become like little children again.”
This humility, the Lord gave a beautiful illustration of it when he submitted to the payment of the tax, by “giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” For He by whom all things were created sent Peter to the sea to throw in the hook and remove a stater from the fish’s mouth “for me and for you” (Mat 17:27). It was because in his divinity he knew that a piece of silver was in the fish’s mouth. But above all he wanted to show us both his poverty and his abnegation with which he renounces his divine right to fulfill a simple citizen’s duty.
So, far from disdaining these little ones, the Eternal God responds to their weakness with special care. Because angels are charged to watch over them. And let us not forget that the Lord Jesus came to save them (Luke 19.1-10); and they are put to the benefit of his work if they die without having reached the age of responsibility. It is the parable of the lost sheep that teaches us the value of just one of these lambs to the good Shepherd. This is why he said to them: “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mat 5:20). And this required regeneration is the work of God alone. Nicodemus did not understand that such a phenomenon cannot be conceived by a natural process. Because it takes divine intervention. God transforms us entirely from the new birth which comes through repentance.
Thus, in order to enter the kingdom of heaven and enjoy the present and eternal blessings, one must be converted, for God cannot receive a man in his natural state. He must become like little children, that is, give up all pretensions, believe what God says, have more confidence in what he says than in his own judgment. And instead of seeking to become great according to the world, on the contrary, one must become humble. “That is why God raised him up and gave him a name above every name.”
This is why in the little child, more or less oblivious to sin, there is not this fear and this hatred towards him whom we have offended; since it is in the closest condition to that in which the Eternal God placed man. This is also why he does not run away and, if he does not go to Christ Jesus, it is because he is prevented in various ways. So may all who have any responsibility for children give it serious thought, with the support of the great Holy Spirit.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together to facilitate your understanding.
- Conversion :
-the divine law, means of conversion: Ps 19.8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.;
-the joyful believers, used as an instrument of conversion: Ps 51: 14-15 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
-conversion is essential to enter the kingdom of God: Mat 18.3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.;
-she prepares for the service of God : Luke 22.32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”;
-ordered to all men: Acts 3.19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,;
-This is the task of the Church: James 5.19-20 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.;
- Simplicity:
Ps 116.6 The LORD protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.; Ps 119.130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.; Ps 131.1 My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.; Mt 11:25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ; Luke 18.17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”; Rom 16.19 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.; 2 Cor 1.12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
- True greatness:
Mt 5.19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.; Mt 20:26 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.; Mt 23.11 The greatest among you will be your servant.;
- Humility Promises:
Pr 16.19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.; Pr 22.4 Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.; Pr 29.23 Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.; Isa 57.15 For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.; Mt 18.4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Lambs in the flock:
-born in the bosom of God: Isa 40.11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.;
-a reward awaits those who help them: Mt 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”;
-are precious in the eyes of the heavenly Father: Mt 18.14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
– must be fed by the shepherds: Jn 21.15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
- Name of Christ:
-is powerful when he is called upon in prayer and service: Luke 24.47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.; Jn 14.13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.; Jn 20.31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.; Ac 3.6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”; Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.; Acts 16:18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.; Eph 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- The stumbling blocks in the path of men:
-are to be removed: Isa 57.14 And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”
-the unfaithful leaders become so: Ml 2.7-8 “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. 8 But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD Almighty.(Mt 16:23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”);
-the hypocrites within the Church are called: Mt 23.13“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. ; Luke 11:52 “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
-all must be careful not to become: Rom 4:13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. (1 Cor 8.9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.);
-love is a remedy against: 1 Jn 2.10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.
- Bad influence of unfaithful Christians:
Rom 14.15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ; 1 Co 5.6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? ; 1 Co 8.10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? ; Ga 5.9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
From all of the above, we note that two conditions are required to enter the kingdom of heaven: conversion, and the need to become like little children, that is, to renounce all pretensions, to believe what God said, have more confidence in what he says than in his own judgment. Please remember, when you do something for someone other than yourself, it should be done without second thought, without expecting something in return, and without going to shout it on the rooftops or in the public square. Because by doing all these things for someone other than you, it is as if you were doing it for the Lord Jesus and it’s not useful to shout in the public square, because God is looking at you, he sees well with his eyes what you do and he will reward you as soon as you return to his kingdom. Our prayers are with you all as you walk on your efforts to become like a little child.
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PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the rich young man who wants eternal life : “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.