Acting like a child is a phrase that we do not want to be associated with our name. To us, it means we have not matured in our actions. It may be that we are pouting, whining, or just being selfish. These are the labels we don’t want to be applied to us. However, in Matthew 18:3 Jesus said that unless we change to become like a little child, we will not enter Heaven. For us to understand what He was talking about we must look at the context.
Matthew 18:1-3 “At the same time came the disciples 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 said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
In Mark 9:33 and Matthew 18:1 we find them asking one another and Jesus who will be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. They still did not understand that Jesus was not going to set up a literal kingdom here. They were ambitious to be the ones sitting next to Jesus.
Mark 9:33-34 “And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.”
Matthew 18:1 “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Jesus rebukes them for wanting to exalt themselves. They were full of pride, and this was the opposite of greatness in the kingdom of Heaven. He knew what they had been talking about, but He wanted them to confess their pride, that was the purpose of His question.
Our sins may not seem so bad when we are talking among ourselves but telling them to Jesus exposes them for what they truly are, a sin against a holy God. We as Christians should expect to feel the same conviction when we sin. If we sin and feel no convicting by the Holy Spirit, then we need to check and make sure we are truly saved. His answer to them was one we must allow to rule in our own lives. His answer was to have the attitude of a little child. In other words, be humble. He tells them in verse 3 to be converted. That is not a conversion from sinner to saint, because they were already saved, but it means to change their minds, attitudes, and actions to one of humility.
Matthew 18:2-4 “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Children do not aspire to greatness, and they do not seek to have influence over others. They may get hurt by other children, but quickly get over it. They don’t hold grudges or plan how they are going to be exalted. Their hearts are tender and teachable. Children who are taught about sin, salvation, and Jesus’ love for them, and how He exhibited that to us on the cross at an early age, usually are saved at an early age. A young child’s heart is open, and when Mom and Dad teach them about God, they believe it. They have a heart and mind that gives the Holy Spirit something to work with.
A humble spirit is what we as adults are also to have if we are to follow God and hear Him say “well done” one day. We are never to think highly of ourselves. We are absolutely whatever we are by the grace of God. We can take no credit for where or who we were born to. No credit for our own salvation, or the blessings God has given us. You can’t even fulfill the law of love without humility. Without humility, you put yourself first in everything, even your relationships with those you say you love most. Pride is also the opposite of who Jesus is. He humbled Himself and became a man so that we may have eternal life. As always, He is our example.
Humility is necessary if we want to go to Heaven. Notice in verse 3, it must be part of our Christian walk. Pride will take us away from God and fill us with ideas of our own greatness. When we walk in our own way, we can become so great in our own eyes God is no longer our Master. If He is no longer our Master, He is no longer our Savior.
Matthew 18:3 “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
