Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

Three passages. One theme.

He called a little child and had him stand among them.

And He said,

"I tell you the truth,

unless you change and become like little children,

trusting, loving, forgiving,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore,

whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And whoever receives and accepts and welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.

But...

if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin,

it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:1-6

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones.

For I tell you that their angels in heaven are always in the Presence of My Father in heaven.

What do you think?

If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away,

will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost." Matthew 18:10-14

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray for them.

But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him.

But Jesus said,

"Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them!

For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."

And He placed His hands on their heads and blessed them before He left. Matthew 19:13-15

Become like children.

Not childish behavior or mentality.

Like children in the way they're dependent on the Father, trusting in His riches, not their own.

Trusting, loving, forgiving, humble.

What are the implications of these verses for those of us who work at the youth centre?

1) They are examples to us.

- Unless you become like little children...

Really? There's something we can learn from them?!

2) We are to receive, accept, welcome them.

Even when they're annoying and unloveable.

3) We must never cause them to sin.

Our words and actions must not be obstacles or stumbling blocks.

4) We must never look down on them.

They're children! They will act childish! Get over it.

5) We must recognize the great value God puts on them.

- Not willing that any be lost.

6) We must allow them to come to Jesus.

How can everything we say and do around them help lead them to a relationship with the Lord?