Chapter 72
TO COME AS A CHILD
Matthew 18:1-4
Before we begin our study let us pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, Almighty God,
We come before You in the Name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Lord God, we ask You to please grant us the spiritual wisdom and understanding to clearly see, hear, and comprehend Your teaching. We also ask You to please cast out of us all spiritual pride and fill us with the humility of a child.
Amen
INTRODUCTION
We begin by reading about the time when Jesus’ disciples were debating among themselves as to which one would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. To do this we start by reading from,
Mark 9:33-34
[33] Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” [34] But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.”
To read Jesus’ response to His disciples we go to,
Matthew 18:2-4
[2] Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, [3] 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. [4] Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
In reflecting upon Jesus’ response, the question arises as to: “What did Jesus mean by instructing us to humble ourselves as a child?” To address this question we will,
1. Review four examples that illustrate the characteristics that accompany the humility of a child.
2. Explore how pride will prevent us from receiving the blessings from Jesus Christ.
With this introduction in mind we begin by reviewing,
FOUR EXAMPLES THAT ILLUSTRATE THE HUMILITY OF A CHILD
Our first example is that of,
ZACCHAEUS
To read what happened we go to,
Luke 19:1-7
[1] Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. [2] Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. [3] And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. [4] So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” [6] So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. [7] But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
Let us notice the following verses,
2 … Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector for the Roman government. In the Unites States this position would be similar to a District Commissioner for the IRS. As a chief tax collector within the Jewish community, Zacchaeus was considered to be a sinner. However, within the Roman government he held a very prominent, respected and influential position.
3-4 … Zacchaeus greatly desired to see Jesus. Since he was short in statue he could not see above the crowd of people. Consequently, like a child, he humbled himself and climbed a tree to see Jesus. In other words, Zacchaeus set aside all of his prestige and did not care what people would think or say about him.
Let us now read what Zacchaeus said to Jesus and Jesus’ response. To do this we go to “The Amplified Bible” and read from,
Luke 19:8-10
[8] Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “See, Lord, I am [now] giving half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I will give back four times as much.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this household, because he too, is a [spiritual] son of Abraham; [10] for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Let us notice the following verses,
8 … In the presence of Jesus, Zacchaeus became so convicted of his sins that he repented from the wrongs he had done.
9 … Because of his humility and repentance, salvation came to the household of Zacchaeus.
The second example is about the time when a,
SINFUL WOMAN ENTERED A PHARISEES’ HOUSE TO SEE JESUS
To read what transpired between Jesus and the woman we go to,
Luke 7:36-39
[36] Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. [37] And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, [38] and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. [39] Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
Let us notice the following verses,
37 … Upon hearing that Jesus was in the Pharisees’ house, the woman went inside the house to see Him.
38a … As the sinful woman stood behind Jesus she began to openly weep. This weeping was a sign of her sorrow for her sins. Many times when we are in the presence of God we cannot help but realize that we are in the presence of the Holy One. We become convicted of our sins and with a humbled heart we are moved to tears.
38b … This woman just loved Jesus. Out of love for Him she just wanted to do something for Him … anything. Hence, she washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She then kissed and anointed His feet with fragrant oil. This loving and humble expression of the woman was much like a child who just wants to express their love for his or her parents. To do this, at times, the child will humble themselves and come to their parents to comb their hair, caress, and hug and kiss them. In addition, with their limited abilities, they will bring whatever present, usually one of their favorite toys that they can find for them.
39 … Unfortunately, the Pharisee did not see the beauty of the woman’s behavior. Instead, the Pharisee only saw the woman as a sinful person and to be avoided. He did not even recognize that Jesus might be a prophet.
Let us now read how Jesus responded to Simon the Pharisees’ reaction towards the woman. To do this we read from,
Luke 7:40-47
[40] And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” [41] “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” [43] Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”
And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” [44] Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. [45] You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. [46] You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. [47] Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
Let us now read what Jesus said to the woman, as it is recorded in,
Luke 7:48-50
[48] Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Let us notice the following verses,
48 … Because of the woman’s humility love and conviction Jesus forgave her of her sins.
49 … Those who were with the Pharisee started to wonder as to who Jesus really was. Remember, earlier in verse 39, we read that to the Pharisee Jesus was not even considered to be a prophet.
The third example for this portion of our study is the time when, after removing the tiles of the roof,
A PARALYTIC WAS BROUGHT INFRONT OF JESUS
To read about this incident let us go to,
Luke 5:17-21
[17] Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. [18] Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. [19] And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. [20] When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” [21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Let us notice the following verses,
17-19 … Can you imagine the faith, trust and belief it must have taken for them to do what they did? Can you imagine yourself lifting up the tile of a person’s roof to lower a person down to be in front of Jesus? Can you imagine the astonishment, laughter, chiding and humiliation you would receive from all those who would have been watching what you were doing? Isn’t this a similar attitude or characteristic of a child? In other words, to get what they want or desire the child does not care what anyone thinks about them and will do whatever they think would bring about their desired result.
20 … Instead of healing the paralytic’s physical aliment, at this time Jesus gave him a much greater healing. Specifically, Jesus forgave the paralytic of his sins.
21 … The scribes and Pharisees still did not understand who Jesus was. Consequently, in their hearts they accused Him of blasphemy.
To illustrate and demonstrate His authority, let us now read Jesus’ response to what was in the scribes’ and Pharisees’ hearts. To do this let us continue our reading in,
Luke 5:22-25
[22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” [25] Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
The fourth and last example or illustration for the type of humility, along with its associated rewards, that our Lord Jesus Christ is teaching us comes from Jesus’
PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON
To read this parable let us go to,
Luke 15:11-21
[11] Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. [12] And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. [13] And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. [14] But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. [15] Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. [17] But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, [19] and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ [20] “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. [21] And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”
In the above parable, the prodigal son could have been proud and stayed away from his father. Remember, he knew he was wrong. He sinned in wanton living, spent his entire inheritance and obviously brought disgrace upon his family. Instead he was willing to humble himself and confess his sins to his father. In other words, with a repentant heart and like a child he humbly went home to his dad for help.
Let us now read the father’s response to his wayward son. To do this we continue in,
Luke 15:22-24
[22] “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. [23] And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” And they began to be merry.
In other words, the father forgave his son for all of his wanton actions and with great joy and happiness welcomed him back home.
SUMMARY
As we reflect upon all we have covered thus far, we find in our examples they all humbled themselves and went to Jesus like a child. They did not care what they looked like or how they appeared to other people. They believed and had faith they would receive what they asked for. As a result of their faith, belief and humility, they all received much more than their request. In addition, they received the forgiveness of their sins and received a new life.
It is noted that it is the same for us. If we, with the humility of a child, go to Jesus with a repentant heart, confess our sins and ask for help He will forgive us and give us a new life in His Kingdom. To verify the truth of this observation let us prayerfully read the following excerpt from Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus and now for us,
Ephesians 2:1-7
[1] And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, [2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, [3] among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. [4] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), [6] and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Let us notice the following verses,
1b-3 … As the father of the prodigal son once considered his son to be dead in his transgressions so it was with us, the born-again believer in Jesus Christ. In God the Father’s eyes we too were dead in our previous wanton life following the ways of the evil one.
4-5 … Because of God’s Grace, Love and Mercy we are no longer spiritually dead but are alive with Christ.
6 …We are now spiritually seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realms. In other words, we are now citizens of Heaven! Please notice that our Heavenly citizenship is not a future state but occurred at the time when we received the salvation of our souls. To see this let us read from,
Colossians 1:13-14
[13] He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, [14] in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
As Jesus, who had His citizenship in Heaven but yet once had physically lived and walked upon this earth, so it now is with us, the born-again believer. Specifically, we are citizens of Heaven who are still physically living here upon this earth.
Let us now continue our reading and go to,
Ephesians 2:8-10
[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Let us notice the following verses,
8-9 … It is by His Grace, which is unmerited favor, we have been saved. It was nothing we earned; it is God's free gift to you and me.
10 … In other words, God transformed us into a new creature or new person. To see this let us read from,
2 Corinthians 5:17
[17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
As a final word of encouragement to go to Jesus with the humility of a child let us now see how,
PRIDE PREVENTS US FROM RECEIVING THE BLESSINGS FROM JESUS
To see this let us first read the conversation Jesus once had with the Pharisees. The conversation of interest occurred while He sat at the table in the house of Matthew. This conversation is recorded for us in,
Matthew 9:10-12
[10] Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. [11] And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
Let us notice the following verse,
12 … Jesus came for those who realize they are sick with the disease called sin. Consequently, these are the people who, like a child, humbly in prayer, go to Jesus (The Physician) ask for help.
Let us now finish reading Jesus’ conversation by going to,
Matthew 9:13
[13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
To expand upon this verse let us read the,
PARABLE OF THE PHARASEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR
To do this we go to,
Luke 18:9-12
[9] Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’”
Let us notice the following verses,
11-12 … The proud Pharisee bragged about how good he was and the two sacrifices he made to please God.
Let us now read the tax collector’s prayer in,
Luke 18:13
[13] And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
In other words, the tax collector confessed that he was a sinner and humbly asked God for His mercy.
To read Jesus’ response, we go to,
Luke 18:14
[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
CLOSING
Let us close by rereading the following,
Matthew 18:1-4
[1] At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [2] Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, [3] 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. [4] Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Shall We Pray?