Childlike faith!
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4)
Have you heard about the cell phone ringtone that junior high and high school kids are using to keep teachers from discovering that they are using their cell phones in school? The pitch of this ringtone, called the "mosquito tone," is too high for people over 25 to hear. So the kids can still send and receive text messages during class without the teacher knowing.
The mosquito tone was first developed in Great Britain to irritate teenagers who were loitering around convenience stores and keeping customers away by their loud and obnoxious behavior. One creative young mind figured out how to use that sound as his cell phone's ringtone. Now kids are downloading it by the millions.
Due to the aging process our ability to detect the sounds of high frequencies deteriorates. Our sensitivity to spiritual frequencies also fade as we age. That's why Jesus cautioned that those who would come to Him must come like little children. It is the humility and innocence of a child that makes it possible for us to hear the voice of God. So, we must either come to God early in life when we are better able to hear His voice, or become like little children so we can hear it.
The child in this passage trusted and responded to the call of Christ. The child was willing to give up what he was doing and go to Christ. He obeyed and did exactly what Christ requested, despite any circumstance, he obeyed simply because Christ asked him.
The child was humble before Christ. It takes great humility to be obedient, submissive, and respond to Christ. It takes a great deal of faith which is brought by humility to trust Christ. Humility will lead to greatness. Unfortunately humility is a trait that is not held in high regard in our culture today.
In today’s world everyone wants to be the center of attention, the hero, the main attraction and we want the fame, prominence and position that goes with it. The right shoes, the fancy car, the expensive clothes will get us attention. A bling filled life is celebrated and highly regarded. A position of authority and a prominent title is often sought so it can be rewarded by the admiration of our peers.
However these thoughts and ambitions are what Christ wants to change. Our thoughts and minds are to be centered on Christ, others and upon truth, not on our self or what is considered earthly greatness. Children are not concerned with power, fame, fortune or position and we should not be either. This is why we are called to conversion, to become like little children so that we may enter the kingdom of heaven.
What Christ is expecting from us is a total conversion that is complete and thorough. A conversion that requires our heart, thoughts and life to change. These can no longer be centered on ourselves but on Christ and serving His kingdom by meeting the needs of those in this world. We are called to humble ourselves like the child.
Humility will lead to Christ and conversion. Humility allows a person to realize their full potential because it will help us evaluate our self and work at improving the areas that need improvement. Humility will lead to healthy and strong relationships because we are no longer self-centered. Humility will lead to conversion and "unless you become like the little children you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
September 2014: Yoshiyuki Morioka, a bookseller who had been running a store in Tokyo, Japan for 10 years, had a curious thought. Lots of customers dropped in during book launches and other events to buy the same title; others often appeared overwhelmed by all the extra variety. So why not start a bookstore that only sold one book at a time?
Morioka’s simple idea opened its doors to the public in Tokyo’s trendy Ginza shopping district in May 2015. The store stocks multiple copies of just one title each week. Each book is offered for six days—Tuesday to Sunday—and then changed out for a new title.
The store has been dubbed both an “anti-Amazon” and a “minimalist solution” to the crippling indecision that customers face when standing among the many shelves of traditional bookstores.
Morioka’s catch phrase, “An open single book,” finds a parallel in the Gospel, through which we are also pointed to just one title. While the world would confound and confuse us with its countless versions of the truth, God presents us with just one book, the Bible, and just one Savior, Jesus Christ, and just one means of salvation, the throne room of grace.
Jesus called it the “narrow way,” and promised joy and intimacy to enthusiastic seekers.
"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way” (Matthew 7:13, NLT).
The first step on the road of the narrow way is become childlike or humble, obedient, trusting, submissive and respond to Christ’s call for you and your life. My prayers are with you in this matter.
God Bless!
Pastor Rick Gault
Kings Creek Union Chapel