Today's passage comes from Matthew 18:1-10
*1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
This passage is filled with so many important concepts. I always thought humilty should be one of the primary characteristics of a true Christian; and this humility along with the innocence of a child can lead us to a true Christian life. The second point, which is related to the previous, is how much Jesus loves the children of the world. Indeed, there is much we can learn from the innocence of a child. I remember as a child, we would sing songs at Sunday School about how much Jesus loves each and every child of the world. I never forgot that love, and that relationship I had with him as a child. Even at that young age, I felt Jesus knew and loved me specially. Up to this day as a young adult, I often have the feeling that I come before the Lord as a child. The next important point our Lord makes is the gravity of sin. May God give us all the strength to persevere that we may be made worthy to stand at his right hand on the last day. The final verse is a very comforting one, perhaps one that helps us persevere, as he mentions guardian angels. There have been so many times in my life that I felt a guardian angel protected me from unfortunate events.
May the Holy Angels of God continually comfort and guide us to persevere in the ways of our loving Savior. Amen
*1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
This passage is filled with so many important concepts. I always thought humilty should be one of the primary characteristics of a true Christian; and this humility along with the innocence of a child can lead us to a true Christian life. The second point, which is related to the previous, is how much Jesus loves the children of the world. Indeed, there is much we can learn from the innocence of a child. I remember as a child, we would sing songs at Sunday School about how much Jesus loves each and every child of the world. I never forgot that love, and that relationship I had with him as a child. Even at that young age, I felt Jesus knew and loved me specially. Up to this day as a young adult, I often have the feeling that I come before the Lord as a child. The next important point our Lord makes is the gravity of sin. May God give us all the strength to persevere that we may be made worthy to stand at his right hand on the last day. The final verse is a very comforting one, perhaps one that helps us persevere, as he mentions guardian angels. There have been so many times in my life that I felt a guardian angel protected me from unfortunate events.
May the Holy Angels of God continually comfort and guide us to persevere in the ways of our loving Savior. Amen