BECOME LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN

Matthew 17:24-18:14

Key Verses 18:3-4

³And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

When people think about being a little child, they think about not having to pay bills, having a carefree life, knowing that mommy and daddy can solve any problem, playing after school, etc. 

But today’s passage challenges us to think differently about what it is to become a child, as we think about what true greatness is in the kingdom of heaven, meaning, from God’s point of view. When we think about becoming great, becoming like a little child is the last thing that comes to mind. But Jesus says in this passage that if we do not change and become like little children we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Read 17:24-27. Who came and questioned Peter? How did Peter respond? How did Jesus’ question challenge Peter? How did Jesus encourage him (26b, 27)? 

** The collectors of the two drachma tax. This tax was most likely the tax collected by Jews for the sake of maintaining the temple (or, called the “temple tax”). It’s origins are probably found in Exo 36:11-16, 2 Chr 24:4, Neh 10:32.

**He quickly answered for Jesus. He probably felt the intimidation from their question and wanted to provided a good answer to cover himself and Jesus.

**Jesus’ question challenged him to know and represent Jesus correctly. It seems that what Jesus needed to correct in Peter was not Peter’s answer to the tax collectors, but his motivation in answering. He was challenged by their question. God is the owner of the temple which the tax is for. Jesus is the Son of God. He is not subject to it like others. And Jesus himself is the King. 

**Jesus called Peter a son and exempt with Jesus. Jesus them provided a way for Peter to pay the tax for both of them and encouraged Peter to know Jesus and overcome his fear.

Although Jesus said that sons are exempt, he still provided a way for Peter to pay their taxes, saying, “But so that we may not offend them…” Yet, at other times what Jesus said offended others (Mat 15:10-14). Why do you think Jesus did not want to offend in this situation? How can we apply Jesus’ example?

**In Matthew 15:10-14, the Pharisees were offended by Jesus’ truthful teaching about the kingdom of heaven. He did not make it a point to offend others, but they were offending by the nature of his person, life and the truth he taught. Jesus did not teach his disciples to use their identity as children of God as an excuse to avoid responsibilities to worldly authorities. Peter later shared with the early church to obey the “king” or worldly authorities so as to represent God properly and win others over to Jesus. 

**Here we can learn about denying our rights or identity for the sake of the gospel message and serving others. At the right time, we have to learn to deny what we know might be right or what should be for the sake of others. 

Read 18:1. Why do you think the disciples asked Jesus this question? What does their question reveal about their understanding of “greatness”?

**They were competing with each other and had high ambitions for themselves. Maybe some of the other disciples felt bad about the situation at the mountain with Jesus’ transfiguration or the previous event with Peter being considered a son and exempt.

**The disciples understanding of greatness is the exalting of one person over another. Thus, their question asks, “Who” meaning, one person, is “the greatness” that is, over others. This is the world’s understanding of greatness. It comes from our sinful nature and is used by the devil to tempt us (Gen 3:4-5). 

Read 18:2-4. How did Jesus respond to them? What warning did he give them in regards to entering the kingdom of heaven? What does it mean to become like a little child? How is Jesus' understanding of greatness different from that of the disciples? 

**See verses 2-4. 

**If they did not “change and become like little children” they would not enter the kingdom of heaven. This is striking because although it seemed their entrance was secured (Mat 16:17-20), they had much to learn and strive for. 

**Verse 4 says, “Therefore, whoever humbles himself…” It is to humble ourselves to the lowly level of children who are not authority figures and in command or accomplished, but are trusting, not considering themselves as great, and not over others. Humility is the key point. 

**Jesus understanding of greatness is very different from theirs. Rather than exalting one person over others, the greatest, according to Jesus’ point of view, is the one who lowers himself (humbles himself) and serves others.

Why is "greatness" in the kingdom of heaven important (Gen 1:26-28)? How did Jesus set an example in this way? (Philippians 2:3-11) In what way might you need to change or humble yourself to be like a little child?

**Greatness is important because God himself is great and we are his children made in his image. Unless we strive for God’s highest standard, which is himself, we cannot fulfill our purpose in life as God’s children. But we need to have a correct understanding of God and his understanding of greatness.

**See Philippians 2:3-11. Although Jesus is in very nature God, he humbled himself to a servant and became a “son” and even obedient to death on a cross, all for the sake of others. Yet, he is the greatest because of his humility. Jesus knows full well what it is to humble oneself like a little child and give his life to serve others.

Read 18:5-9. Who does the “little child” or “little ones” in these verses refer to? What does it mean to “welcome” a little child in Jesus’ name? With what attitude should we struggle to not cause others to sin? Why? How might a wrong understanding of “greatness” lead someone to cause others to sin?

**To those who believe in Jesus.

**It is to take care of them and serve them as one would their own child. The reality is that one is not just welcoming a fellow believer, but Jesus himself. What is done to the body of believers, even to one person, is in reality considered by Jesus done for him. It means that everything we do, even for the seemingly smallest or least person, is most meaningful and worthy! So we should not neglect or treat anyone less because they do not look so great. 

**We have to find out if anything about us is causing others to sin (and by so doing we sin), and cut it off. Jesus also used this illustrative expression in the sermon on the mount when talking about committing adultery (Mat 5:27-30). These expressions show the absolute attitude and seriousness we must have in making sure we do not cause others to sin. 

**See verses 6-9 one by one. Jesus warns about being thrown into the fire of hell. This is a fire that is unquenchable (Mark 9:47-48). When we cause others to sin, we earn the wages of sin for ourselves. 

**When we have a wrong attitude or understanding about greatness, we exalt ourselves and our ideas and agendas over taking care of others. This leads many to cause others to sin, intentionally and unintentionally. It comes from putting ourselves first. 

Read 18:10-14. Why must we not look down on others? (10, 14) What standard does Jesus give by which we should see and care for each other? (14)

**Because our heavenly Father does not look down on them. He sees them and cares for them one by one as his own children. Even though he is great and we are but the dust of the earth, he cares for us as our heavenly Father with love, patience and endurance to great extents, as illustrated in the parable of a shepherd leaving behind 99 of his 100 flock to go after the 1 that went astray. 

**The standard and example Jesus gives is our heavenly Father himself. We must see others and care for them just as our heavenly Father does, and not by any standard less. 

The end.