06 19 07 Welcome the Little Ones

“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (Matthew 18:5)

Children really are special to the Lord. Here in chapters 18 and 19 of Matthew’s Gospel, we vividly see Jesus interacting with the paidior (Greek), the young children, the little ones, the damsels. Jesus calls a child into the circle for all to see exactly what He meant; an innocent, wide-eyed, and trusting little child. Remember what it was like to believe everything someone told us, no matter how crazy it may sound today? We thought we could fly like superman, run faster and jump higher because of our PF Flyers (or Jordans!), or make it to the major leagues. To trust Jesus, we need to have the innocence of a little child and remove the prejudices of the world. We need to reach the children at an early age, before the world (music, gangs, TV) gets to them.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin……” (Matthew 18:6)

Again, a little one (mikroteros, in Greek; little or small) is portrayed as one whom Jesus wants protected, warning us not to ever be the cause of their sin. It would be better to be thrown into the sea, with a concrete block attached to our necks. We’ll have to pay dearly! This can also refer to a young Christian being led astray by false teaching and deliberate attempts to keep them from growing in Christ. Children are so precious to the Lord and should be to us……all children!

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones….” (Matthew 18:10)

So let’s make it a priority in our lives to be on guard to look out for the children. Let’s go out of our way to care for them, teach them, and guide them. All children need to see a consistent example as they go through life. What they hear and see in the home should be consistent with what they see and hear in the church and in the schools. If not, questions arise. We need to be there to answer those questions with Godly wisdom and scriptural facts! We can’t despise, or ignore the children! Day and night we need to pray for them, nurture them, and protect them.

“Let the children come to Me……and He laid His hands on them….” (Matthew 19:14)

Let’s also make it a point to open our hearts, open our homes, ands open our arms to these little ones. We need to give to those who are caring for the children. We need to support teachers and ministry workers dedicated to coming alongside us parents in the rearing of our children. We need to have a home open to the neighborhood kids, so they can feel welcome in a Christian home, not scared away! We also need to open our arms and just as Jesus did, lay our hands upon them, bless them, and let them feel His love!