Suffer Little Children To Come Unto Me And Forbid Them Not; For Such Is The Kingdom of God - Part 1922

Jesus had a point to make about the certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, while despising others. Herein, Jesus is telling a parable about two men who ventured to the temple to pray. The one was a Pharisee and the second a publican. 

The Pharisee stood and prayed and thus with himself said, "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." (Luke 18:9-11) Conversely, 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 to me a sinner." (Luke 18:13)

Jesus said about the publican -- "I tell you, this 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) 

In another place, Jesus said, "For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." (Luke 14:11)

And in yet another, Jesus said, "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12) 

While Jesus fully acknowledges the prayer of the publican, and his willingness to humble himself, it is important for us to understand that we also (at one point or another and before our faith journey) were like the Pharisee, judging others around us according to worldly standards. Thankfully, however, our hearts changed when Jesus invited us to "follow" Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, so that the the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in us, and us in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31; II Thessalonians 1:12) 

This change evident because our hearts answered His invitation, knowing that "the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil, and [thus], we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And [that] the Lord direct[s] your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ ..." (II Thessalonians 3:1-6)

But as we also know, not every heart responds positively to the call of Jesus, and for some, receive strong delusion that they should believe a lie, having found pleasure in unrighteousness. Jesus says about as much in Matthew's account when He goes on to warn about those hearts who reject Him. Those who reject Jesus and then do everything they can to ensure that others remain in the same entanglements and bondage that they themselves are in.

The Lord Jesus continues, saying, "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widow's houses and for a pretense make long prayer; therefore, ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him two-fold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say ... " (Matthew 23:13-16)

To some extent, when the people brought unto Jesus infants and little children, so that He would touch them, putting His hands on them, and praying for them, and the disciples saw, the disciples rebuked them. But what did Jesus say? He called the disciples unto Him and said, "Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto Me, for of such is the Kingdom of God." Similarly, "Verily, I say unto you -- whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." (Luke 18:15-17; Mark 10:13-15; Matthew 19:13-29)

The lesson here is that we need to humble ourselves and believe in Jesus as would a young child (or the publican) where our hearts recognize that we can do nothing in and of ourselves. In fact, everything we do is about our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- in both word and deed. His Name the only Name under heaven whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)

Moreover, "as newborn babes, [we are to] desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious ... " (I Peter 2:2-3)

This same Jesus who is both Lord and Christ -- to whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed, indeed of men but chosen of God and precious, ye also, as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:4-5; Acts 2:36-41)

He is our all in all. And, as Jesus so aptly said, "Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world!" (Matthew 25:34)

And the King of kings and Lord of lords is still inviting us to come to Him this day. (Revelation 19:16) "Come, and let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) 

Stand in the offering plate.