Become as Little Children - Matthew 18:3

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “the disciples” came “unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them”, and in chapter eighteen and verse three of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus said “you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven”, “except you be converted, and become as little children” where we read:

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children,

you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The verse reads, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “and said” or “and Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “verily” which means “truly, surely and of a truth” “I say” or “” “unto you” which means “”, “except” or “unless and if not” “you be converted” which “the disciples be twisted or turned around”, “and become” or “arise, appear and come to pass” “as little children” which means “like and similar to infants or a little boy or girl”. Matthew shared how Jesus presented a condition to be “like little children” for the disciples for which He unveils the result if they do not.

The verse goes on to say, “... you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”. Matthew added the words, “you shall not enter” or “the disciples will in no way and not ever make entrance or go” “into the kingdom” which means “into the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule” “of heaven” or “belonging to the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Matthew shared how Jesus declared there would be no entrance into “Heaven's Kingdom” unless a person becomes “as little children”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we begin to understand what Jesus meant by becoming “like children” before entrance into the “Kingdom of Heaven” is permitted. This idea should concern every person reading these words because without becoming “like little children”, there will be no going into “Heaven's Kingdom”. Children have great “faith”. They believe stories, and their concrete thinking allows them to trust the words of most who declare them. Fairytales and Bible stories come alive in a child's face as they listen to those who share them, and the innocence of their “belief” is manifested. God desires people to “trust Him” and His Son Jesus in “childlike faith”, and those who do shall enter into the “Kingdom of Heaven”. Those who don't shall never know what it means to live in a wonderful and beautiful place with God for all eternity.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus tells what happens to, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.