Except Ye Become As Little Children – Sunday, May 03, 1981
The innocence and openness of children’s prayers must surely be among the sweetest sounds of heaven or earth.
We are reminded of the occasion when the followers of Jesus were debating who should be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The trappings of power and prestige were all around them: in the uniforms and armor of Rome’s imperial soldiers, the embroidered robes and pious flattery poured on the religious leaders, and the intellectual arrogance with which the learned men of the law displayed their knowledge. Even the dregs of their society could exalt themselves in pride and prejudice by denouncing their neighbors the Samaritans as a polluted and a lesser race. Perhaps the disciples wondered which of these tokens of importance would be appropriate in Jesus’ kingdom.
In answer to their question, Matthew writes, “Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set Him in the midst of them; and said…Except ye…become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”1 Of course, not everything that children do is worthy of emulation. Augustine made the observation that “childish tempers are borne with lightly not because they are not faults, or only small faults, but because they will pass with the years.”2
As we know, children can be petulant, selfish, thoughtless and show a host of other faults that flesh is heir to.
Jesus was not asking his disciples to be childish—but child-like; to be open, honest, teachable and filled with faith as children are. Emerson wrote, “We are born believing. A man bears beliefs as a tree bears apples.”3
It is true that children often are deceived and disappointed in their trust, but what a principle of power is their faith. How easily they learn; how quickly they improve and grow.
This child who gazed up at Jesus’ face was so unlike the crowd of self-important people preening in their pride and suspicious in their heart. The child did not ask for signs or wonders, didn’t rationalize the things he hears—believing this, discarding that. Perhaps his conscience whispered to him that this gentle man beside him spoke the truth.
Jesus added, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”4
The humble and believing—these are they who will be gathered up and treasured in the harvest of the Lord.
1 The Bible, Matthew 18:1-3
2 The Confessions of Saint Augustine, Edward B. Pusey trans., The Modem Library, New York, 1949. Pg. 10
3 The Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walter J. Black Inc., New York. Pg.379
4 The Bible, Matthew 18:3-4
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May 03, 1981
Broadcast Number 2,698