Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As I look at Jesus’ disciples during His earthly ministry, I’m struck by something surprising: they weren’t acting like Christians—at least not in the way Jesus defines discipleship. They followed Him, yes. They listened to Him, yes. They even performed miracles in His name. But their hearts were full of worldly ambition, pride, and self‑importance.
They believed Jesus was on His way to becoming the earthly king of Israel, and they wanted front‑row seats to power. Their question was not, “How can we serve?” but “Which one of us is the greatest?” (Matthew 18:1).
And so Jesus does something shocking. He calls a little child into their midst and says:
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3
Not “you will be less important.” Not “you will miss out on blessings.” But you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
This wasn’t a general teaching. Jesus aimed these words directly at His disciples—grown men, leaders, miracle‑workers. And He told them plainly: You must repent. You must turn. You must become like children.
Hear the complete ‘Become Like Chilren” message:
Children as Our Teachers
God gives us little children to teach us humility. Children are not proud of their accomplishments, their income, their status, or their reputation. They don’t measure greatness the way adults do. They simply trust. They simply receive. They simply rest in the nearness of their parents.
That is the posture God desires from every believer.
Watch any small child with their mother or father. Their security is not in their achievements—it is in their relationship. Their joy is not in their résumé—it is in their parent’s presence.
This is the picture Jesus gives us of saving faith.
Jesus Welcomes the Little Ones
The disciples saw children as a nuisance. They tried to screen people coming to Jesus, making sure only the “important” ones reached Him. But Jesus rebuked them.
Luke tells us:
“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” — Luke 18:16
Children were not obstacles to Jesus—they were models of the very faith He requires.
On Palm Sunday, when the chief priests were offended that children were shouting praises in the temple, Jesus quoted Scripture to them:
“Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise.” — Matthew 21:16
Even infants can praise God. Even nursing babies can glorify Him. Their simple trust is precious to the Lord.
The Danger of Leading Children Astray
Jesus also gives one of His strongest warnings in all of Scripture regarding children:
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” — Matthew 18:6
Children are spiritually receptive. They learn quickly. They trust deeply. And Jesus fiercely protects them.
In our world today, many children go astray—not because they wander, but because they are not led. Many are unbaptized. Many grow up without church, without Scripture, without prayer. Many spend hours on screens that teach them everything except Christ.
Jesus calls us not only to avoid hindering them, but to go after them when they wander:
“It is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” — Matthew 18:14
Even the Unborn Respond to God
Scripture even shows us that unborn children can respond to the Holy Spirit. When Mary visited Elizabeth:
“The baby in my womb leaped for joy.” — Luke 1:44
If John the Baptist could rejoice in the womb at the presence of Christ, why would we ever hesitate to bring infants to Jesus through baptism?
Peter preached at Pentecost:
“The promise is for you and for your children.” — Acts 2:39
Children have sinful natures. Children need forgiveness. Children have souls. And children are included in God’s promise.
Conversion Is God’s Work—Not Ours
Some Christians date their conversion to the moment they “chose Christ.” But Jesus says:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you.” — John 15:16
Scripture describes conversion with words like birth, adoption, and new life—none of which are chosen by the one receiving them.
Paul writes:
“You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” — Romans 8:15
And again:
“He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ.” — Ephesians 1:5
Birth is not a choice. Adoption is not a choice. Salvation is not a human decision—it is a divine gift.
We Are All God’s Little Children
The Apostle John addresses his entire congregation—adults, not toddlers—as “little children”:
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” — 1 John 3:1
This is our identity. We are God’s children—humble, trusting, dependent, loved.
Do Not Become Too Adult to Be Saved
The danger is not childishness—it is adultishness. Pride. Self‑importance. Self‑reliance. The belief that we are too wise, too mature, too sophisticated to simply trust God.
Jesus says:
“Unless you turn and become like children… you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3
Be humble. Be trusting. Be dependent on your Father. Be small in your own eyes. Be a child in your relationship with God.
For of such is the kingdom of God.
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through faith in Christ Jesus.
