Childhood back in those days was a condition not to be desired by an adult, and Jesus points to the child not as a winsome example, of how charming and simple we're supposed to be, but rather how lowly.
Throughout scripture, Jesus exalts losers. Whether highlighting children, or hobnobbing with prostitutes and tax collectors, Jesus rubs the salt of lostness into the sensibilities of those who are preoccupied with the sweetness of their "successes"
Jesus lifts up the last. The least, the Lost, the little , and even the dead. His grace is reserved or those who, like a little child, see themselves as...little. Who is great in God's eyes? Whoever humbles himself like such a child is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus is not a prophet to the winners, but the losers, proclaiming that the last shall be first, the weak, strong, and the fools, wise. It's the lowly, not the proud, who shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Lord, when I see a child today, help me to see who You want me to be like."
Author Unknown
"Jesus is walking the highways of life looking for the riffraff,
looking for the sinners like you and me;
hounding us until he catches us,
not to point an accusing finger, but to remind us who we are -
CHILDREN OF GOD
-for whom He died,
who God wants to use as His princes and princesses in His kingdom."
J. Wallace Hamilton
Shepherd of my soul
Who Is the Greatest?Matthew 18:1 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. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
Jesus Warns of Offenses
6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
IF ANY!
"IF ANY of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." James 1:5
"IF ANY man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: IF ANY man serve me, him will my Father honour." John 12:26
"Therefore IF ANY man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: IF ANY man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
"Again, truly I tell you that IF ANY two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19
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Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
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