Jesus said, "Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence comes!" (Matthew 18:7)
Jesus is speaking here to His chosen twelve disciples. One day, these disciples had come to Jesus with the question - "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus calls a little child unto Him and set him in the midst of them and says, "Verily, I say unto you. Except you be converted and become as little children ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of God." (Matthew 18:1-3)
For some, this might seem to be strong language, given that Jesus -- even then, was seen by many as the Christ -- the promised Saviour of the world. Notice however that Jesus does not stop speaking there. He continues by saying, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4)
Things to note? In order to receive the Kingdom of God, one has to be converted. This does not mean a ten minute prayer and filling out a card at the end of some church service. It requires a change of heart that is visible to others. In fact, the word converted means to change into a different form, transform, transmute, and for that change to be visible to those around us.
More specifically, (if I may digress for a moment) dictionary.com offers a list of examples that might be useful in understanding the word. In terms of religion, someone who is converted is given reason or cause to adopt a different religion, doctrine, opinion, etc.. It could also mean turning to another intended use, or conversely, becoming focused on a particular use or purpose. To modify (something) so as to serve a different function, to change in character, caused to turn from an evil life to a righteous one, are other examples. (dictionary.com)
All of these meanings are constructive, because herein Jesus is telling His disciples that in order to enter into the Kingdom of God, one must be converted and become as little children. Transformed from our old perspectives and world view so that our spirits recognize that the Kingdom of heaven is not about us, but the Lord God and King who graciously extended us His mercy so that we could inherit eternal life. As in -- and from -- the perspective of a little child.
As well, there must be a cause that creates this new desire in us. In this case, caused by a recognition that Jesus -- God manifest in the flesh, loved us enough to shed His precious blood on a cross for our sins. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:1-18; Hebrews 9:15-18; John 3:16-17)
But instead, as we see, the disciples busily focused on themselves, using a worldly example of relationships to ask Jesus -- who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven? Instead of recognizing Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords in the midst -- the One about to pay the ultimate price of death for their sins -- the disciples strutted, vying for position. Their standard of desire from the worldly constructs, and not of the heavenly treasure that Jesus spoke of.
"Who is the greatest?" the disciples asked. These did not yet see Jesus as the Son of man who had come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)
Are we not just like them? Many times in our new found faith journey, we look at heaven as an extension of our earth journey. We have our life here in the world (wherein power struggles with our peers and ambitions to do better) are a constant, and we think of the Kingdom of heaven in the same way. Instead of being converted and transformed, as Jesus said, our hearts and minds are still attached to those earthly things that are around us. Instead of bringing the good news gospel message of Jesus to the world, too often, we incorporate our world view and experiences into the gospel.
But what did Jesus say?
He tells us that if our hand or foot or eye offends us, we are to cut them out and cast them far from us for "it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire." (Matthew 18:8-9)
Jesus also says something else, which, sadly, is often missed in sermons on this particular scriptural passage. That is, Jesus said, "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, "That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 18:10-11)
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14)
"And if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [Him] that we may be also glorified together ... for the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God." (Romans 8:17-19)
The promise of salvation is to you and your children and to those who are afar off. (Acts 2:36-39) Why? Because the Son of man is not come to destroy man's life but to save. (Luke 9:56; John 3:17; John 12:47) And she shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)
This is why there must be a conversion, a humbling of our spirits, a putting to death of our previous desires -- replaced by a renewal of our minds and hearts in Christ Jesus. In order for this to happen, we must become like little children, submitting and trusting Jesus by faith in everything we do.
Jesus says as much in the parable about those who trust in themselves, thinking themselves righteous, while openly despising others. Jesus is sharing the parable, and says, "Two men went up into the house to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a publican or tax collector. The Pharisees stands and prays thus with himself, "God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week. I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful unto me -- a sinner." (Luke 18:10-13)
For anyone observing the scene in the parable, the sanctimonious self righteousness of the Pharisee would be obvious. Jesus concludes, "I tell you. This [latter] man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:14; Luke 14:11)
The widow of about fourscore and four years is another example. She served God with fastings and prayers night and day, and she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)
From these scriptural examples, we should understand that with salvation comes a changed heart. A heart of humility toward our Lord and King. A thankfulness that the King of kings and Lord of lords has chosen us -- you and I -- to be His disciples. And that, as a consequence of His love and mercy, there is an opportunity for us to see and partake in the Kingdom of God.
And, likewise, to understand that the invitation to the most elaborate wedding feast is not only for us, but for others too. In other words, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14)
"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who will have all me to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, for there is One God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Timothy 2:1-6)
He "who hath saved us and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world was made." (II Timothy 1:9)
Be thankful in your heart today. Seek Jesus in everything ye do. "Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise [Him] O ye servants of the Lord. Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, praise the Lord; for the Lord is good. Sing praises unto His name for it is pleasant. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure." (Psalm 135:1-4)
Stand in the offering plate.
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