Biblical Discipleship Pt. 14 Discipleship Requires Child Like Faith.

 All of us whether Pastors, Parents or church members, are benefitting from sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning about discipleship from Him.

Disciples wrongly seek self promotion in the Kingdom of God. 

Matthew 18:1  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 

The disciples asked Jesus an honest but very self centered question, one that we might be guilty of thinking of. The questions is straightforward. The disciples wanted to know "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Jealousy or resentment may have been growing in their hearts for a variety of reasons. 

For example, Peter, James and John were selected by Christ to see His transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3). 

Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him when He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead (Luke 8:49-56). 

Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him in the garden of Gethsemane to pray (Matthew 26:6-38). 

Jesus told Peter that He would use him in a prominent way to build His church (Matthew 16:17-19).

Disciples were guilty of arguing about who the greatest was among them.

Mark 9:33-34  And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34) But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 

Mark's gospel tells us that the disciples had a dispute about this very matter on the way to Capernaum (Mark 9:33). Notice that they seemed to be ashamed because they did not want to tell Jesus about their dispute because they knew it was a carnal act on their part.

The culture around is always enamored with greatness. In fact, it seems to be an obsession with a great many people. 

We all struggle at times with this pride driven desire to be the best, be first or be recognized as the most important. Yet, the kingdom of God is not like this at all. 

The world may say "You must brag about your possessions, accomplishments, education, social status" but God firmly tells us "No, you are no longer of the world." 

The longer that a sinner has been born again, he recognizes that he is not worthy of anything but death and condemnation. Yet God in grace has given him everything in Christ. 

There are no bragging rights in the kingdom of Christ, for all who are subjects of this kingdom are washed in the blood of the Lamb. 

Self promotion must give way to true humility.

Matthew 18:2-4  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3)  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4)  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

How patiently and tenderly their Master deals with them! No doubt the same thought was in His heart again: "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?" 

But Jesus does not  express it now. He takes opportunity  when they are quietly together in the house, to teach them the lesson of great importance in a way that is simple and beautiful and full of tenderness. 

Jesus called a little child to Him, "and set him in the midst of them." No doubt the disciples felt the force of Christ's striking object lesson before He said a word. He took him in His arms, as if to show them where to look for those who were nearest to the heart of the King of heaven.

Self denial was the first great lesson Jesus illustrated with the little child.

Remember that Jesus previously told them they must deny self, take up the cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Yet, they became immersed in self promotion as they jockeyed for leadership in the coming kingdom.  

This goes to show us that all believers are sinners saved by grace. We all have a sin nature ready to erupt if we don't give ourselves wholly to following Christ. 

Another lesson is that none but the lowly, humble ones will enter the kingdom of God. Those who have true humility will be great in His kingdom. The word "converted" is very similar to the word "repentance" in that it calls for a change of mind regarding wrong behavior. 

How is the new birth like the faith of a child? First, the old way of life passes away. Second, all of life becomes brand new, a fresh start viewed with awe and wonder. Third, like children going to school, we become students in the discipleship school of Christ, embarking on an exercise of life long learning and application of truth. 

Become as little children. Christ points to little children as the model to which the members of his kingdom must assimilate themselves. The special attributes of children which he would recommend are humility, simplicity, being teachable, which are a direct contrast to self-seeking, worldliness, distrust, and conceit.

Ye shall not enter. In the sermon on the mount Christ had said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). Only the humble in spirit will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Whosoever therefore. This verse gives a direct application of the principle just enunciated, and supplies an answer to the apostles’ question. 

Shall humble himself. Not that a child consciously humbles himself, but is humble by nature. The disciple must become that by deliberate choice which the child is by reason of his constitution and natural disposition.

Matthew 18:5  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 

The idea of receiving a little child being the same as receiving Christ, refers to all that a parent does for a child. We provide food, clothing, shelter, moral training, and teach them duties and responsibilities. It goes beyond that in that we seek to supply spiritual blessings by pointing our children to Christ their Savior, that they might know and trust Him. 

The words seem also to apply to humble, self effacing believers in the kingdom where we do our part to meet needs whether physical or spiritual in nature (See Acts 2). 

One such little child. Primarily, Jesus refers to children, pure and confiding as the one he had placed in the midst; but his words are applicable to all who have the childlike spirit and character, the graces which he specially loves and rewards. 

Matthew 18:6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 

The Lord ends this much needed corrective with a warning about those who offend not just little children, but the truly meek and humble ones of His kingdom. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Pastors, Parents and Parishioners can all learn what it means to be Christ's disciple from this section of scripture.

First, we are all prone to give in to our flesh. We may fall into craving attention, seeking the praise of man rather than the praise of God. 

We must do as Jesus said, deny self, take up our cross and follow Christ. 

Second, self promotion must give way to genuine humility before God. Those who humble themselves shall be lifted up by God. 

Last, we must seek to nurture that child like faith where we do as the Lord commands just as we expect our own children to obey in our homes. 

May the Spirit of God work in our hearts to drive out pride, self conceit, self promotion and any other attitude that is an offense to Holy God. May we yield ourselves to His hand as the Potter works on each one of us, molding us into the likeness of His Son.

Bob