DEVOTION – DAY 224

Matthew 18:3-4 “Humility And Dependence”

 

Matt.18:3-4 “And He said, “Truly, I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.”

 

Some people think that Jesus was teaching unless people are innocent, trusting and unpretentious like little children, they will not be able to enter God’s Kingdom. But that was not what Jesus meant. To understand these verses, we need to look at the background. Jesus’ disciples had been arguing behind His back as to which of them would assume the most powerful positions when Jesus restores the nation of Israel. They considered Jesus as the successor to David, for they believed Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. They had worldly desires for status and power. Jesus knew what was in their minds and so, Jesus used a child to illustrate His teaching. Jesus went right to the heart of the matter. In vv.3-4, He said that the prerequisite to be in God’s Kingdom is for everyone to be like little children – meaning that everyone must be dependent and humble, to realize they need help to enter God’s Kingdom. Children are never shy to ask for help. And Jesus added that those who are humble and willing to serve others will be the greatest in God’s Kingdom.

 

Today, many people reject the gospel message because they think they rather trust in themselves and their own abilities to get into God’s Kingdom. They rather focus on doing good deeds, charitable acts to gain merit. They do not want to admit that they are helpless and in need of a Savior. Admission of weakness and helplessness is not something people want to be identified with. But that is exactly what the gospel message in Matt.18:3-4 required. People must admit and recognize that they are helpless to save themselves from judgment for their sins. Good deeds, acts of charity and so on, will not get us into Heaven. God will only forgive our sins if we believe and trust that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We have to humble ourselves and accept God’s gift of salvation, like little children.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, you have shown us humility by sending your Son, to live as a man and to die on the cross for our sins. Help us to be always humble and dependent upon you. In the precious name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. In what areas are you called by the Lord to show humility? Why? Share.
  2. Why is humility essential for someone to have before they can get into God’s Kingdom?
  3. If you reflect on your own conversion experience, how did you need to humble yourself and admit that you need Jesus as your Savior and Lord?
  4. How can you continue to show humility and dependence on the Lord as you continue to serve Him?