Conversion like little children

[fil3232003]

Dear Pastor,

What does our Lord Jesus mean in the following?

Mat 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.

[Pastor Pete]

Great question!

As always, context is important here. Let me put the whole thing together (from the beginning of chapter 18):

¹ At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" ² He called a little child, whom he placed among them. ³ And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (TNIV)



So as the disciples are trying to figure out who is the greatest (and possibly vying for that position themselves), Jesus has other ideas. Jesus instead takes a little child, then tells the disciples, "Be like this little one."

What does it mean to be like a little child? Children are, on the whole, trusting. They believe things simply. Children (especially in that culture) are not pretentious. They're just kids. They know their place in life. They listen (for the most part) to their parents. Before God, are we not in the same place? We are not in a position to boss God around. We are simply God's children, receiving God's love and protection.

So to be like a child before God is simply believe and to humbly know our place as God's servants.

Does that help?

Pastor Pete