THE CHILD IN THE MIDST

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 18:2-3 NKJV)

Our Lord desired to show where true greatness exists. First of all, it begins with humility. Without this, no one can be His disciple (Matthew 18:4). A child is naturally humble until parents and friends begin to spoil it by directing its attention to itself. For us, as for the proud Naaman of old, our flesh must become as a little child. Some people are rather proud of their humility, and expect to be praised for it, but that is not the genuine humility of which Christ speaks.

The next qualification for greatness is love. We must recognize and welcome Christ like souls, however lowly their lot. What a contrast between the boy, whose pitiful case is described in the previous chapter (Matthew 17:14-18) and this little child. But to each the Lord Jesus proved Himself to be a loving friend. The one He restored to sanity and health, the other He gathered in His arms. Probably the child was standing or playing close to Him, so that it only needed a very slight gesture to bring him to the Master's side, and he became the text of the sermon that followed. We must not despise one of the least, for they are the objects of Christ's special regard. Our Lord draws aside the veil from the eternal world, and shows that the youngest and weakest ones are they to whom the loftiest angels are allotted as their guardians. The heavenly angels, who always behold the face of God, are set to watch over the children.

The third step to true greatness is in the disposition which is unsparing of self and thoughtful for all others. We dare not put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall before one of Christ's weakest disciples; we must be prepared to cut off the right hand, or pluck out the right eye rather than grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Our attitude about many things which might appear perfectly harmless must be determined by the effect of our influence upon others.

PRAYER

Give unto us, O Lord, true humility, a loving and friendly, a holy and a useful manner of life; bearing the burdens of our neighbors, denying ourselves, and studying to benefit others, and to please You in all things. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #88:
I prepared a kingdom inheritance for you when I created the world.

Matthew 25:34 (WEB)
Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;