“Become Like Little 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.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

Matthew 18:1-10

Christ’s disciples had just come to Him with a question: “Who, then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a small child to Him. He told His disciples, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

It is comforting to know that Jesus’s love for children is connected to His love for us all! That’s why He invites us, through childlike faith, to become His sons and daughters.

Our earthly families may fail us, but our heavenly Father never will.

Our Daily Bread – September 1, 2018