Teachings of Jesus (Part 13) Like Little Children
All too often many of us who call ourselves a Christian can feel a bit guilty because we have not done something great or fantastic for the Lord. We have not gone to Africa or some other third world country on a mission trip. We haven’t entered the ministry, nor have we become a great preacher or teacher that is propagating and growing the church like other great men and women. We are simply just who we are. We do our best, give what we can, go to church and do our best to just try to make it thru another week.
After so many years in the church maybe you feel like you should have accomplished so much more as a Christian and. And maybe in some ways you have not yet accomplished all that you are meant to accomplish.
In today’s lesson from Jesus I want to share with you who and what is important to God; what kind of people He is most pleased with.
Most would think it would be people like the Apostle Paul who risked life and limb to preach the Gospel and establish new churches. Or even the men and women of great faith like Hebrew 11 talks about. And yes, those people are very special, but today I would like to share with you the kind of people Jesus commends and what he expects of us.
Read Luke 9:46-48 “ 46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
Jesus talked about children in other places as well. In Mark 1:13-16 it says, “13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
Matthew 18:1-6 says, “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
6 “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.” Different stories, but teaching powerful lessons.
In Luke account the disciples were arguing back and forth among themselves as to which of them would be the greatest, or may even hold the most prominent position, maybe even by Jesus’ own side.
And in the story in Mark we see mothers bringing their small children to Jesus so that He could place a hand on them and bless them. But this time the Apostles got upset and were trying to chase them off. Maybe they thought Jesus was too tired from doing so much and that He didn’t need a bunch of kids swarming all over Him.
But here like in the first story we see Jesus calling the children to Him, not only to bless them but to teach those who have ears an important lesson.
Rather than trying to become the big shot, a GREAT Apostle, or that man or woman who is so important in their own eyes and maybe even in the eyes of a few others, they needed to stop and consider what Jesus was saying about serving or even becoming like a little child.
We all should sit up and take notice concerning what He is trying to teach when we consider what He said in 18:3 when He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Is that a good enough reason for you to sit up and take notice? ‘You will NEVER enter the kingdom of Heaven unless you change and become like a little child.’
If you ever spent any time with little children and really take time to observe and know them, you’d understand what He is saying. Little children, especially those 5 and under, are on the most part, innocent, pure, funny, happy, sensitive, overflowing with imagination, and very loveable. These are all good characteristic for even the oldest Christian.
I’d like to share with you some other things about little children that Jesus may have thought are worthwhile for older disciples. As I do think about how we should apply them as adult Christians.
- Little children are pretty honest and transparent. Small children tend to say it like it is. One day my granddaughter Aimee was pushing in on my belly with determination. When asked what she was doing she said that she was trying to push my belly back in because it was sticking out too far.
Don’t ask a little child if you look fat because you may not like what you hear. One day she turn to my wife and said, “Nana you have a big butt.” ‘Out of the mouth of babes you never quite know what to expect.’
Those sensitivity filters have not been activated in their little minds yet and so they will tell you truth whether it hurts someone or not..
And yes they are not only honest, they are also quite transparent. Even if they try, it is especially hard for them to lie or keep secrets because their facial expressions always give them away. I can’t imagine what preschoolers tell their teachers about their home life.
- Little children are also very trusting Sad to say, we have to teach our little ones not to be so trusting of everyone to protect them from those in the world who would prey upon their trusting nature.
They tend to believe what others tell them and that’s why they are so convinces that there is a tooth fairy, an Easter bunny, Santa Clause and flying reindeer. If what is said makes sense to them and if it is something they can understand they will believe and accept it, especially if it is coming from someone they trust. They are just so accepting and ready to believe, even it what they hear is a lie.
- Little children are also very curious. They see the world with a sense of wonder. They are amazed by things that we take for granted. To children the world is full of surprises and things to explore. And because they don’t understand everything they frequently ask many questions because they want to know more and more.
- On the most part young children can be very generous. Yes they can be selfish at times and claim something is, ‘Mine, mine, mine.’ But in general young children are more gracious and more giving than older kids. They are especially generous with hugs and kisses as well as expressing love.
- Most little children are quite humble. That is until some adult fills them with pride. Some of us innocently tend to tell their children how wonderful and great they; maybe even that they are smarter or somehow better then others are. And of course they are willing to believe and accept what they are told. And before you it they have a chip on their shoulder and begin to think that they are somehow better than others; but they don’t start out that way. A young child will play with any other little child who is willing to play with them.
They aren’t prejudice or picky because the other kids clothes aren’t as nice as theirs. And it doesn’t matter what color skin they have. They just want to play and have fun with their new friend.
Another thing that may have stood out in Jesus’ mind about little children is How much they depend on their parents or guardian for their well being. They not only depend on us for food, shelter, and clothes, more importantly they emotionally depend on us for love and a sense of well being and security. A child will jump off a roof into their father’s arms if asked to do so because they trust him. We should likewise depend on our Heavenly Father for our well being; for our physical, emotional, and spiritual well being.
In our text in Luke 9, the disciples were arguing over who was going to be the big shot or the greatest. They were doing this almost immediately after Jesus talked about how He was willing to submit to the betrayal and death He was about to endure in submission to Father God.
Here we see their arrogance and pride. They must have had their own ideas about the coming kingdom, and they wanted to secure their own futures in it. The disciples showed a greedy desire, first for position, and we then for prestige in the kingdom. (Constable)
Here Jesus shows them that instead of seeking status for themselves, they should be more concerned about giving their attention to the needs of people who have no status— people like children who were considered insignificant.
The disciple who ministers to a person with no status, as though he or she was ministering to Jesus, does in fact minister to Jesus and to God the Father. The principle here is that the disciple who is willing to sacrifice personal advancement, in order to serve insignificant people is truly “great” in God’s eyes. (Carson and Moo)
Jesus stepped off His throne and out of heaven to minister to us and we should likewise do the same for others. Being a bit more childlike enables one to accept what God offers without suspicion. They will also continue to be curious enough to learn more about Him.
Read Philippians 2:1-15 (Click on verse to read)
To many of us have become suspicious, cynical, closed minded and set in our ways. We have forgotten how to play and have fun like a child. We are not as trusting nor do we want to depend on any one – some show by their actions that they choose not to trust God. But Jesus wants us to tighten up, He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And ““Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
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