Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 (WEBBE)
*1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them,
3 and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me.
10 See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
12 What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?
13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”*
Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus addresses the disciples’ question about greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven with a surprising and profound teaching. Instead of pointing to power, wisdom, or status, Jesus lifts up the example of a little child, illustrating that true greatness is found in humility, trust, and simplicity.
1. The Call to Childlike Faith:
Jesus’ words, “unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven,” call us to embrace a childlike faith. This doesn’t mean being childish, but rather cultivating a heart that is humble, trusting, and dependent on God. Children naturally trust their parents and look to them for guidance, protection, and provision. Similarly, we are invited to place our full trust in God, relying on His wisdom and care rather than our own understanding or abilities.
Jesus goes further by saying that the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven are those who humble themselves like a child. In a world that often celebrates self-sufficiency and independence, this teaching challenges us to see humility as a strength, not a weakness. It is in our humble reliance on God that we find true greatness in His Kingdom.
2. The Value of Each Soul:
In verse 10, Jesus warns against despising “one of these little ones,” reminding us that each person is precious in God’s sight. The imagery of their angels always seeing the face of the Father in heaven emphasizes the special care and attention God has for each individual, especially those who might seem insignificant in the eyes of the world.
This theme continues with the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd’s willingness to leave the ninety-nine to search for the one who has gone astray reveals God’s heart for the lost and the value He places on every soul. There is no one too small or insignificant for God’s love. He rejoices more over the one who is found than over the ninety-nine who never went astray. This shows us the depth of God’s mercy and His relentless pursuit of each of us, especially when we feel lost or far from Him.
3. Our Response:
As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His heart in our interactions with others. Just as Jesus welcomes and values each person, so should we. This includes cultivating a spirit of humility, being mindful of the needs of others, and valuing each person as God does. When we receive and care for others with the love of Christ, we are, in fact, receiving Him.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help us to embrace the childlike faith You call us to, trusting in Your care and guidance with humble hearts. Teach us to value each person as You do, recognizing the worth and dignity of every soul. May we reflect Your love in our interactions, seeking to lift others up and care for those who may feel lost or overlooked. Thank You for Your relentless pursuit of us, even when we stray. Amen.
Contemplation:
Take a few moments in silence, reflecting on the areas of your life where you might need to adopt a more childlike faith. Are there areas where pride or self-reliance has taken hold? Ask God to help you surrender these to Him. Also, consider how you view and treat others, especially those who may seem insignificant or different. How can you better reflect God’s love and value for each person in your daily life?