Section Ten

Becoming Child-like

The three passages mentioned in the previous page (counter cultural) start with an argument / discussion between the disciples about who was the greatest. Jesus then: • Calls a little child and placed the child among the disciples (Matthew) • Took a little child, placed the child among them, took the child in his arms (Mark) • Took a little child and had the child stand beside him (Luke) It is worth noting here the illustration that Jesus used - he physically placed a child among the disciples, in order to make a point about inclusion. This act demonstrated what was being said - the child represented something thought to be of lowly position, of no real worth but this wasn’t true in God’s kingdom. Jesus makes the point to be considered great in the kingdom means having to identify with the lowly position of a child. Matthew uses the phrase ‘change and become like little children’. Two points to note: 1. Jesus was saying that humbleness was highly valued in God’s kingdom, and so we need to take on child-like qualities (which ones?) 2. The people best placed to have child-like qualities are children. In other words, children can have a place in God’s kingdom. Each of the passages finishes with a comment by Jesus - that anyone who welcomes a little child like the one he placed among them wlecomes him (Jesus). Mark and Luke add that Jesus said whoever welcome him also welcomes the one who sent him (God).