the Rev. Henry Huenemann
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 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 (Matthew 18:2, 3).
Bible Reading
Matthew 18:1-14:Devotional
How we all like to be great or possibly the greatest! How we all like to be honored of men! We know that Jesus' disciples reasoned together, and even disputed, who of them should be the greatest. Not only did they want to know who was the greatest of them, namely of the twelve; but they came to Jesus with the question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" possibly thinking it must be one of them. What an object lesson, when "Jesus called, a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted (or turn, or change your mind), and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." What the disciples needed, and what we all need, is true humility. Jesus went on to say, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by worldly standards: but he who humbles himself the deepest is the greatest. "Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he hath humbleth himself shall be exalted." Jesus said on one occasion, "Among those that are born of woman there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." And who is least in the kingdom of God? Who abased himself the most? who humbled himself the deepest? Is if not Christ?
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, deliver us from all pride and self-exaltation. Teach us the lesson of true humility. Make us truly humble. Help us to remember that every one that is proud in heart is an abomination unto Thee, and that Thou resistest the proud, and givest grace to the humble. May we become like little children, believing, trusting, giving ourselves as we are, and make Thou of us something to Thy name's honor and glory. For Christ's sake, who has so deeply humbled himself. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: Luke 9:46; Mark 9:34; Matt. 18:4; Luke 18:14; 7:28.
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