[321 words]
“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:4).
As wonderful as children are, we as a society would think it foolish to hold children up as the ideal for adults to emulate in every way. Youngsters are shortsighted, tending to choose the things that bring them ah immediate reward. They are often selfish and need discipline to keep them from becoming little “tyrants.” We are supposed to be patient with these weaknesses, because we know that small children are immature. But, according to the Savior, they do have one quality that we should wholeheartedly recommend: HUMILITY!
Jesus must have surprised everyone listening to Him when He called a small child aside as an object lesson to His disciples. He wasn’t recommending the concepts of being easily fooled, or lacking in maturity, or the desire for the pleasure of the moment. Rather, Jesus pointed out this outstanding virtue of humility. He said, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” The “rank conscious” disciples had been arguing about who was going to be first. They, like many of us even today, were caught up in their concern for status and position. Small children have no such concern. They accept their place in the family under the leadership of dad and mom. They know instinctively that they need the help and protection of the parents. When assured of the parents’ love, they even submit to discipline when they are disobedient.
In the church today, it is easy to begin gauging where we “stand” with one another by looking at titles and position. But instead of walking like the world around us, the Lord calls us to be like little children—acknowledging our weakness, recognizing His place at the Head of our lives, and joyfully submitting to His Word. That is the difference between childlike humility, and childishness.
Nathan Jorgenson
via Bella Vista Church of Christ
Bentonville, AR