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Jesus Loves Children (Matthew 18-19)

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MOTIVATE

  • This week VBS raised: $1,300+ for foster care children.
  • Also packed blessing bags of food & hygiene to impact 15-25 families.

I asked children what they would pack in their own blessing bag:

  • Ice Cream & Candy
  • Burgers & French Fries
  • Marshmallow Pizza
  • Taco Bell
  • Stuffed Animals & Toys
  • Fireworks
  • Cyclops
  • Titanic
  • Clothes & First Aid Kit

We can’t help but smile. God loves children! Let’s talk about it from Matthew 18-19.

EXAMINE
Jesus celebrates sincere faith.

MATTHEW 18:1 At that time

The context of Matthew is a) the Transfiguration where Jesus shined overwhelming glory and brighter light than the sun, b) more miracles and messages indicating Jesus’ power over demons and death. So, understanding Jesus is supreme and unsurpassed…

the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

The other Gospel passages (Mk 9:35; Lk 9:46; 22:24) indicate the disciples were debating!
**YP days… competing with cologne, appearances, accomplishments, actions (everything from eating to annoyances).

  • In this moment, they did not ask for greater faith or understanding.
  • They did not ask for greater strength to endure suffering or persecution, which Jesus predicted moments ago (17:22-23).
  • Their purpose was to self-promote and view Jesus as a means to their desired end. They did not really want to follow Jesus where He wanted to go but wanted Jesus to follow them just in case they got stuck and needed assistance.

Jesus’ response was surprising. Jesus did not settle the debate over who was smarter or superior, but instead gave an object illustration.

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

A few items to note:

  • Children were present around Jesus. He didn’t isolate with importance, but integrated with those who a) He wanted to relate, b) He enjoyed spending time.
    • SPBC has age-graded programming but NOT everything, & that’s intentional. We want children around youth & adults; & mixing Millenials, Xers, Boomers, Great Gen. We believe maturity climbs & rises (Pr 13:20; 1Cor 15:33). ALSO, we believe in reverse mentoring with an interdependent nature of all persons (1Cor 12:14-21).
  • Children were a positive reflection of faith: unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Turning (στρέφω) = about face, opposite direction.[1] Further, if we do not turn, the passage has a double negative to emphasize “no, not ever will you enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus was not endorsing Childish faith

  • Immature:  Childish Christians complain loudly & frequently to get their way rather than speaking to others with truth in love.
    1Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
  • Ignorant: Childish Christians impose their opinions (“mine!” “I’m right”) on the Bible even though they don’t know what the Bible really teaches.
    1Corinthians 14:20 “do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil but in your thinking be mature.”
    Ephesians 4:14 “children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”
  • Indulgent: Childish Christians indulge on junk food diet; they eat from the world’s values rather than God’s, and eventually consequences result.
    2Timothy 2:22 “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace and with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

Jesus was endorsing Childlike Faith

  • Affectionate: Childlike Christians adore their Heavenly Father and love to spend time with family.
    Galatians 4:6-7 “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’. So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
  • Aggressively Hungry: Childlike Christians desire to grow by constant eating of spiritual food. Their daily priorities and life hope depends upon God.
    1Peter 2:2 “like newborn infants long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation”
  • Ambitious: Childlike Christians are motivated to joyfully obey because they trust God’s principles are wise and helpful. Childlike faith is not satisfied with average but adventures to explore unchartered territory for the glory of God.
    1Timothy 4:12 let no one look down on youth but set example in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity”

>> Start your childlike faith today.
  > Believe in Jesus; the first step is already DONE (relationship vs religion).
  > Belong to a church; don’t just attend (own vs rent).
  > Be the example; in actions not just words (hypocrisy always gets revealed).

Jesus condemns scheming faith.

MATTHEW 18:5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but 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… 7-10 Woe to [willful sin leading to eternal hell fire]

MATTHEW 19:13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

While Jesus celebrates sincere child-like faith, He condemns scheming faith that causes God’s children to stumble (σχανδαλίζω), which speaks of setting off the bait of a trap.[2] IOW, the little one does not understand they’re approaching danger. They’re manipulated and pressed into sin. Someone’s fraudulent faith can malform another’s faith.

This happens in numbers of sad ways… And when it does, Jesus expresses grave consequences: a heavy millstone fastened around neck and be drowned in the depth of the sea.

The positive contrast is true too with Jesus identifying with those who receive children. The verb “receive” (δέχομαι) communicates the idea of a ready reception and generous hospitality. Modern readers might miss the radical nature of Jesus’ teaching because we value children slightly more. But, in ancient and biblical times, children were without status, and were the weakest and most vulnerable in society.[3] They were viewed more as servant/slaves than part of the family. Yet, children and those vulnerable are prominently placed and favored throughout Jesus’ ministry.

Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. – Jesus

>> Protect children/members/people is obvious application. We should not be afraid to speak up when we see something suspicious, or certainly scheming. Yet, sometimes the response is to withdraw – – “I don’t want to get involved” – – which is the exact opposite of what Jesus is exhorting in this passage…

>> Aim at creating a community that radically welcomes children
    – simple as welcoming your kid’s friends into gospel-centered family
    – being neighborly to know names and give intentional encouragement
   – volunteering with organizations & church – > babysitting; we’re shaping arrows…
   – strategic callings like foster care and adoption
          In AACO there are about 150 children in foster care; about 50 new annually.[4]

>> At SPBC: child dedication[5] / CM&YM with AHG&TL /
                  Next Gen training to cultivate awareness and action on August 22 (9am-1pm)

Jesus cautions against sloth faith.

MATTHEW 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish…

  • Jesus reaffirms the call to care for little ones with the understanding that God and the angels are always watching (cf Heb 1:14).
  • Jesus reaffirms the call of the church to persevere and pursue lost and straying sheep.
  • God has significant delight and desire for all to experience life, but He loves us too much to force our faith (cf 2 Pet 3:9; 1 Tim 2:4).

*Sometimes people ponder what advice you would give to your 5/10/20/40 year younger self… but think 500 years down the line. When a person is in their eternal state, what would you want? You want the reassurance of all those you know and love to be with you in the presence of God. So, what attitudes or activity promotes slothfulness, and what would facilitate your fervency?

  • Romans 12:11 “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord”
  • Col 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord”

>> Habits course starts Aug 18.
>> Bible Group Sunday AM… and/or Men & Women Studies in fall
>> Invest & Invite #WhosYour1

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

You may be far removed from childhood or having children, but you can become part of God’s family as a son or daughter. You don’t have to walk alone… Jesus Christ is the Savior who died to forgive sin and restore you into His family.  

[1] https://biblehub.com/greek/4762.htm

[2] Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992).

[3] May, Scottie, Children Matter: Celebrating Their Place in the Church, Family, and Community. P.40.

[4] https://annearundelfostercare.com/foster-care-in-aaco/

[5] https://growinggodlygenerations.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/god-and-child-dedication_info-packet.pdf

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