Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Today we continue to see God’s judgment on Egypt through the plagues in Exodus 9-10, and our New Testament reading is from Matthew 18:1-20.
I want to spend the next few minutes focusing on the first section in Matthew 18. Let me read from verses 1–4,
[1] At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [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. (ESV)
The disciples want Jesus to give them a glimpse into what greatness looks like in the kingdom of heaven. So Jesus selects one of the weakest and smallest members of the crowd: a child. Not only is being like a child a picture of greatness in the kingdom, but it’s also the only way into the kingdom of heaven. Why like a child?
Adults often like to assert their wisdom, strength, and importance. However, a child is humble, powerless, and dependent. The way into the kingdom involves humbling ourselves before God, knowing that we are powerless to enter the kingdom based on our strength, and dependent on the king – Jesus – to show us mercy to be part of his heavenly kingdom.
When God accepts us in our weakness like this, we start to see the weak around us too. It’s not only important that we respond to Jesus with child-like dependence, but it also matters how we treat little ones. Look at Matthew 18:5–6,
[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. (ESV)
Part of belonging to the kingdom of heaven is welcoming children and any other “little ones” who seem small and insignificant. Jesus repeatedly shows his care and concern for children, the poor, the weak, the marginalised, and the sinner. We are called to welcome all little ones, and in doing so, we are also welcoming and receiving Jesus.
Now, many of you may have heard recently about the passing of new legislation in New York allowing the abortion of a child all the way up to birth. A similar law passed in my home state – Queensland, Australia – at the end of last year.
I get that there are complex situations where the life of the mother and the child are at risk, and Christians must be people of compassion in these circumstances.
However, it’s heartbreaking that in both New York and Queensland these new laws were met with great joy and celebration by many people. How we treat these little ones says a lot about the lostness of our culture at large.
Psalm 139 says that all little ones in their mother’s wombs are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and known by God. Psalm 68 says that God in his very holy character is “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows.”
Look at the way that Proverbs 31 urges God’s people to be like God:
Proverbs 31:8–9
[8] Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
[9] Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy. (ESV)
These cultural moments in western society must surely be an opportunity for Christians to shine a light in the darkness, by having a radically different practice and place of children within our faith communities, and by speaking up for little ones who have no voice.
Ultimately our culture needs to know the good news that comes in Jesus Christ. The following is a quote from Melbourne-based Pastor Murray Campbell about the gospel our world needs at this moment,
“The story we speak is better than those cries to kill. Appropriately, it is a story about another unwanted child. At his birth, the Government attempted to interfere by sending local authorities to his town in order to find the newborn and have him killed. He was saved by his mum and dad fleeing, leaving the country and finding asylum in another land. Thirty-three years later, the feverish shouts could be heard all over the city, ‘Crucify him, Crucify him’. The public wanted it, and the Government approved. Little did they know that through this one death, God was bringing justice and mercy. The perfect Son of God was heaping on himself the sin of the world so that God might remove our sin and shame.”
If you or someone you know is pregnant with an unwanted child, please reach out to me. I would love to hear your story and offer you support.
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.