Matthew 18 verse 1 starts out with the disciples asking Jesus “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” In response, Jesus calls a small child over and places her in the group. He says: “I tell you the truth: unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of a child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
The exorbitant value Jesus places upon children is unmistakably clear.
He continues: “If anyone causes one of these little ones -those who believe in me- to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Wow Jesus, these are strong words! Drowning a person with a millstone is inflicting capital punishment! There is no question as to what Jesus thinks about someone who causes a little one to stumble or turn away from the Father. That person would be better off dead. And not just dead, but dead and forgotten. Drowned in the depths of the sea.
In what way have you offended or caused a child to stumble? Perhaps you have been the cause of deep discouragement or self-doubt in a child’s life. Have you twisted a child’s perception of the Heavenly Father and caused him to turn away from God? Jesus says to take especial care to not be the cause of stumbling for a child. It were actually better if you were dead and forgotten, than to cause a little one to stumble.
I ask myself these questions this week; reality is that I have a child who is often angry at me. Angry for requiring household chores to be performed. Irritated that schoolwork is mandatory. Furious with the law of sowing and reaping as in: “I don’t want breakfast mom.” Then 2 hours later is upset that breakfast time has passed. I’m in the middle of this folks. Parenting, in our family right now seems especially difficult. My words – that’s where I offend this child. I speak out of frustration and anger sometimes, projecting shame on my child.
We’re not done yet: “See to it that you do not despise (to regard with contempt, distaste, disgust or disdain) one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father.”
Jesus then asks a question:
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine who remained safe in the fold. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”
Jesus holds these little ones (even the wandering ones – maybe especially the difficult ones) in high esteem. He rejoices more over a lost one that is found than the ones who stayed safe within the boundaries of the sheepfold.
Jesus places immense value on little ones. Let us do the same.
Do not be the cause of stumbling or offence in any child. Our words and actions are either life-giving or whip-lashes of death upon a child’s heart.
Be careful to not disdain or regard with contempt one of these children. The Heavenly Father is especially fond of them and their angels do always behold His face.