[After being asked who is the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus] 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.
(Matthew 18:2-4 NIV)
Without being syrupy or sappy, Jesus’ words hit us like a cold slap in the face. “Unless you change,” he insists, “you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!” Jesus isn’t subtle. Jesus is not politically correct. Jesus is multi-cultural as long as all cultures surrender to his Kingdom rule and become a new culture, the culture of the humble. If we are honest, we spend most of our childhood trying to grow up too fast. We don’t want to be children. Children are the ones hurt by divorce, abuse, abandonment, poverty, and predators. Children can’t vote, can’t drive, and can’t date. There are many things they can’t choose to do. While on one hand children rule the day because of permissive or non-involved parents, on the other hand they can be in great danger and suffer great abuse. Who wants to be vulnerable, powerless, and humble like a child?
“Unless you turn from your sins and become like little children!” I MUST change. I MUST be humble. I MUST surrender to the King of glory so I can find life. Only then, in becoming a child, like God himself in Jesus our Immanuel, will I find greatness!
Today’s Prayer: O God, Creator of the universe and Almighty Lord of my life, since you humbled yourself and became a child for me, I now surrender my heart and humble myself to become a child in your presence. Make me fit for your service and use my weakness in your strength to bring yourself glory and to bring others to your salvation. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
