"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)
There is something in our Lord's Words which speaks of "starting over." When one comes to Jesus, He/she comes to Jesus only by repentance, which means, "I am wrong. I know nothing. Only You, Lord Jesus, are right." This is the beginning of conversion. One definition of conversion is, "change in character, form, and function." One thing for sure about a little child: They are just starting.
We thought we were alright, educated, sophisticated in the ways of life, but then we met Jesus. We discovered that our whole attitude and life style was contrary to the purposes of the Blessed Trinity, His Kingdom, His Church. Maybe we didn't (and too many times still don't) admit it, but we just thought we needed forgiveness of sin. Indeed, we do. But conversion speaks of something beyond the New Birth. It is a change in thinking and living, viz., "change in character." This is a life time process, again, growing and discovering, as a, "little child."
In the next verse, Jesus says, "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Now you know as well as I that most church-goers don't believe this. They look for the "seasoned," the educated. A little child is none of this. Mostly they are in awe of each new day, what they experience, what they learn which they never knew.
Whatever our Lord Jesus fully means in our text, it would behoove all of us to pray to live such a life before each other and the world, "....converted and become as little children..., humble himself as this little child...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess I do not fully know the meaning of these, Your Words. Holy Spirit, teach me. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
