February 24 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matthew 18:1–5

Devotional

The Lord Jesus warns His disciples that unless they become as little children they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. This warning is applicable to all the people of God, who, just like the disciples, are proud of heart. The disciples occupied themselves with who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. They assumed that they had secured their place in the kingdom and could, therefore, quarrel about the places of honor.

When the disciples of Christ thought they had advanced far beyond the position of a doorkeeper, then Christ placed them outside the kingdom. God puts those out of His kingdom who of their own accord place themselves inside. He says to them that they need to be converted in order to be in the kingdom. The disciples quarreled about the inheritance but Christ challenged them to think about if their names were even written in the testament.

The Lord speaks here about entering that kingdom. The disciples, in spite of what they experienced in the past, had to enter in and by renewal be converted. Do you understand this, people of God? If you are never at times outside of it, examine yourself carefully whether you have ever stood within. Or don’t you have to be changed a thousand times, because you sinned yourself outside of the kingdom a thousand times?

This daily conversion is so important that Paul speaks of this when he says: “But I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:12). To enter into the narrow gate is an ongoing battle. The disciples thought they had arrived. Those who are of that opinion raise themselves above others. Such people smite, reject, and push others out of the way to be the greatest. In this way, nevertheless, they cannot inherit the kingdom of God. “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter.”

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.