January 28, 2025

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. mat 18:2-3 nkjv   Then Yeshua said: “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.” mat 18:4-5 nkjv

As best I can recall being a small child, a very long time ago, I was not concerned with conversion or doing much of anything… I just trusted my parents to make things well for me. Now, to me, that is analogous to me simply trusting and believing Yeshua to [like my parents] make things well for me… how about you? Do you relate to this, or am I alone in this simplistic thinking… ? I think Yahweh sees us as children of faith, or as disorderly and disobedient “believers.” Do you know any “converted” people who act like the grace message has purged all their responsibility to the words of Yeshua, “if you love keep my commandments…?” One could ask, though, if I am to be like a little child, how could I know my responsibilities? More likely, the emphasis here is not on regression to child-likeness, but that one must surrender their independent pride, selfness, do it my way, and no consequences attitude for being naughty. Look at the next thing Yeshua says:

“But 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!” mat 18:6-7 nkjv

I think I get it, notice he warns the “offender” against messing with his kids… as such. It seems we have to, as a little child, walk closely in the protection of our “heavenly Father.” It does imply that evil doers will, if they can, draw or trick us into destruction. Consider this:

“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.” mat 18:8-9 nkjv

I used to work with a sort of agnostic fellow [he was raised in a southern Baptist church as a child], who I still pray for, that thought of this verse strange because if true, everyone around us would be lame and blind… He used to share stories of hypocrisy he watched among his family and church folks. What a shame that careless adults actions yielded rebellious thinking concerning faith and clean living that Yahweh teaches us to learn and walk in.

I think these scriptures define the simplicity of faith and the consequences of careless living. What do you think? Seeking to be the greatest does not seem to override the importance of faithful child-likeness in Yeshua’s eyes. And, receiving those “converted and now like little children,” is receiving Him. Reminds me of the parable of the self-important [in their own eyes] wanting to seat themselves in the best seats… remember how that ended. Luk 14:7-9 nkjv

Shalom, john