Humble Yourself as this Little Child Matthew 18

KJV Matthew 18:3. 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. 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5. And whoso.

shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me

 

This parable uses the word child twice, plus the word children once. Jesus never repeats Himself unless He is trying to teach a lesson He does not want us to miss. This parable begs us to study the word child.

 

The disciples came to Jesus, asking, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus set a child upon His lap and told them this parable. You need to be converted, and become like a little child to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like a little child, will be great in Heaven. Whoever receives, or helps a child, receives Jesus.

 

A child is easily taught because their mind is open, unpolluted by an overwhelming amount of concepts, and they are trusting. This parable may be calling to attention the fact, many things may have to be unlearned before the mind can be open to learning the truth. William Miller reflected the same lesson in his fifth rule of interpretation.

 

5. Scripture must be its own expositor, since it is a rule of itself. If I depend on a teacher to expound to me, and he should guess at its meaning, or desire to have it so on account of his sectarian creed, or to be thought wise, then his guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom, is my rule, and not the Bible. Proof, Ps. 19:7-11; 119:97-105: Matt. 23:8-10; 1 Cor. 2:12-16; Eze. 34:18, 19; Luke 11:52; Matt. 2:7,8.

 

To find out how to become like a child, we must allow the Bible to show us the aspects of a child. This is accomplished by locating texts describing traits a child will posses.

 

Genesis 18:19 KJV For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

 

Exodus 31:16-18 KJV Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. (17) It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. (18) And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 KJV And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: (7) And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (8) And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. (9) And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

 

Deuteronomy 32:46 KJV And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

 

Matthew 5:9 KJV Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

 

Matthew 19:14 KJV But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 

The children of Heaven follow Jesus. They are taugh to respect the ten commandments. They are taught the ways of peace, justice, and judgment. This is the spiritual meaning of being converted like a child.