When I think of the new year, I am reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 18 about children. Why? I guess I just equate starting over with the time of being a child. Listen to this story:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."
Matthew 18:1-5
The disciples of Jesus ask Him a question about who among them is the greatest in this new Kingdom He's been talking about. Is it one of the inner circle, Peter, James, or John? Could it be Matthew or Zacchaeus? After all, they gave enormous wealth away when they came to follow Jesus! Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven? Tell us, Jesus.Jesus proceeded to do something that must have shocked the disciples. He singled out a child and began a simple lesson on greatness in God's eyes. He said whoever changes and becomes like this child...is great in the kingdom of heaven.
Notice that Jesus DID NOT SAY "become childish." He wasn't saying "you should play all the time," or "act immature," or "whine until you get your way." He said to become "like a child." Let's look at some attributes of a child that Jesus most likely was referring to.
- A child is dependant - Someone else must care for a child. Not only can he not meet his own needs, he usually doesn't even know what they are. Children depend on someone else to provide for them.
- A child is trusting - You can tell a child anything and they will believe you. They trust people will be honest with them.
- A child is humble - Children don't walk into a room and take over. Children recognize the world is a huge place and everyone else is bigger than them and know more.
- A child is joyful - Everything is new and exciting for a child. He can hardly take it all in. It's fun to explore, to taste, to touch, to smell!
- A child is content - A child is happy with what he has. He's not looking for more. He's content to occupy himself with what is right within his own circle.
What does this mean for disciples of Christ? We must have these traits of a child in order to be great in the kingdom of heaven. Simple as that.
- A disciple is dependant upon the Father - Peter wrote, "Cast your cares on Him for he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. They don't reap or sow yet their heavenly father cares for them. How much more will he care for you!
- A disciple is trusting - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 It appears that the end of times could become so devoid of trust that Jesus is recorded as saying, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Luke18:8
- A disciple is humble - This is a theme that permeates the entire New Testament. The meek will inherit the earth. Don't resist an evil person. And ultimately the example of Jesus described in Philippians 2:1-3-11
- A disciple is joyful - "Consider it pure joy," says James, "when you encounter trials of many kinds." James 1:2. "Be joyful always" exclaimed Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
- A disciple is content - "If we have food and clothing," Paul writes to Timothy, "we will be content with that" 1 Timothy 6:8. Paul knew what it was like to be in need or to have plenty, but he said he learned the secret of contentment. That was totally trusting in Jesus knowing that He would provide the strength Paul needed to be content. Philippians 4:12-13
My New Year's wish for you is to become more like a humble child in 2019. Follow Jesus' example and in all ways acknowledge Him. Then, the Bible promises, He will make your paths straight!
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