Read Matt 18:1–20
Mat 18:1-10 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (2) And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them (3) and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, (6) but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea…(10) “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
In today’s society we may oftentimes point to a child as an example. You can blame this passage for that most likely. Yet when Jesus did this, he wasn’t pointing to the child for anything that anyone in his day found admirable. Actually, we probably don’t either for the reason that people in Jesus’ day didn’t either. We like to think of children as innocent, who believe things easily and the like. But the one characteristic that Jesus is pointing to is this—utter dependency.
Being totally dependent on the goodness of others, that is the quality Jesus says makes one great in the kingdom of heaven. When we become totally dependent on God, when we look to God for every good thing, that is when we are most pleasing to God. God wants you to be completely dependent on him and believe he is going to provide you with everything you need to support this body and life.
But not only for mundane things of this world does God want you to dependent on him. He also wants you to be completely dependent on him for your salvation. For your salvation he gave his son to become one of us, to shed his blood for you, to give his life for yours. He does not want you looking to yourself or to your family or your friend. He doesn’t want you looking to vain philosophies for spiritual life. He wants you to be dependent on Jesus and Jesus alone for your salvation.
The person who becomes dependent upon the Father and the Son for the mundane things of this world and the spiritual things of this world is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. That is the one who is pleasing to God. That is one whom Christ puts forward as one to be emulated. How about you? Are you willing to be totally dependent upon God and Christ? Are you ready to cast aside all other crutches and be supported by the only and true living God? He will take care of you.
Lord Jesus Christ, may we ever become like little children depending solely on your grace from day to day and know the joys of your Father’s care. Amen.