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At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire."
- Matthew 18:1-9
Yesterday, we read that while Jesus and the disciples were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful. When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or strangers?" Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free." Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." The question from the disciples is one of self-interest. At this stage in the ministry, Jesus has spoken of His death and Resurrection. Perhaps they expect the fullness of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus' reply teaches us all about discipleship, and the necessary condition of humility -- how notions of worldly power are at odds with the power in holiness. My study bible says that the qualities of the child He gives as example are those required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven: humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved. Jesus extends His teaching not only to say that any disciple must aspire to such qualities, but also that to welcome anyone "like this" in His name is to welcome Him.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire." Having praised the qualities of "little ones," Jesus goes on to claim them as His own in Judgment. My study bible says that "little ones" include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit. This is the greatest warning against exploitation and abuse of such people. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also used the analogy of cutting off a body part as appropriate and good, preferable to habits and behaviors that cause harm or sin. It is all about avoiding the sin of abuse or harm to these little ones who exemplify the qualities He names. My study bible says that it also refers to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).
Jesus praises the qualities of the "little ones." He goes far beyond praise when He describes how judgment will work against those who harm them, lead them astray, cause them to stumble. If we think about power, we have to understand the juxtaposition between the kind of holy power exemplified in Him (and the power He shares with His disciples) and the worldly power that makes victims of those who have the qualities of little ones. In my study bible's words, those qualities are characterized by humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved. Not only will those who cause harm to such people be dealt with at Judgment, but when any disciple welcomes someone with these qualities it is as if they are welcoming Christ Himself. One quality not mentioned here, but associated with children, is naivete. Jesus never asks us to be naive, or in denial, or ignorant of something. On the contrary, all of these "childlike" qualities in a human being are praised in addition to qualities of watchfulness, alertness, knowing what we are to be about, discernment -- and in this passage, self-knowledge and the willingness and capacity to transcend personal habits and inclinations which may do harm to others. The picture of the true follower of Christ is one who is wise as a serpent and simple as a dove. That is, one who may be humble, dependent, lowly, willing to love and be loved -- and also one capable of the practice of self-mastery. This is how we understand He's not simply speaking of children, but rather what it means to be a truly matured and wise human being. What does it mean to cut off a hand or foot, or to remove an eye? Jesus speaks of offenses, abuses, harm: a hand is something used to take advantage or steal, a foot can be a weapon or walk in a bad direction to do harm, an eye covets and looks in ways not loving but to exploit or use those who trust. These are all the ways in which we need to be aware of our own capacity for sin, and "cut them out," cast them away from ourselves, no matter how deeply rooted. Let us consider, then, Jesus' important and essential teaching, and His dire warning about offenses. Our position in the world will not save us, but our habits, what we love, what we aim for, will make us good disciples and protectors of what is good and needed in the world. Can we do this? Can we make it our aspiration in life?
