Matthew 18:1-11   The disciples had a question for Jesus.. they wanted to know "who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Would it be Peter? After all Jesus had told Peter that He would build His church on that rock.  Would it be James and John? They had gone up the mountain with Jesus, so they must have a special place..  Would the rest of the disciples have a place of privilege in the kingdom? After all they were special followers involved in the ministries of Jesus. 

Jesus answered the question in a totally unexpected way.. "And He called a child to Himself and set him before them."  First of all, Jesus said, ".. unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.."  A change of thinking was needed here.. they weren't even looking in the right direction!  Jesus wasn't calling them into positions of power.. He was calling them into a position of service.. of humility.. of sacrifice.. of holiness... 

"Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  The disciples wanted to have a higher rank.. just like the Pharisees. They hadn't learned yet that God's way is totally different than the world's ways. 

Jesus had more to say to His disciples about His kingdom... not only is it about coming into the kingdom humbly like a child.. but it is about receiving others in the same manner. " And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me."  

I picture Jesus.. calling this child to Himself.. opening His arms and putting the child on His lap.  The child came willingly.. unafraid.. loving and being loved in the arms of Someone he knew and trusted. This is how we come into the kingdom.. isn't that a wonderful picture!  And then.. we turn around and open our arms for others.. calling them to come.. receiving them with love and compassion and kindness.. so that they too might find the joy of the Kingdom of God and  the love of the King. 

But, Jesus is not done with His answer.  "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, that he be drowned in the depth of the sea."    Oh may we never be one to cause someone to stumble... may we not offend or cause someone to sin or to give up their faith.. may we not cause someone to fall away from Jesus. 

Jesus said that whatever part of us might be a "stumbling block" to others.. or to ourselves..  needs to be "cut off".  Whether it is a hand or a foot, an eye.. or an attitude.. if we offend.. if we cause someone.. even a child.. especially a child to fall away from Jesus.. we will be "cast into the fiery hell." We must keep ourselves from stumbling.. and we need to never cause someone else to stumble either. 

Jesus said, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven, for the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost." 

The disciples asked about greatness.. Jesus told them about Himself.  He didn't come to find power.. He already had all the power and glory and honor there is.. He came, humbly, as a child Himself.. in order to save the lost. 

Father in heaven, thank You for the love and compassion and grace You have shown us through Jesus, Your beloved Son. Thank You for salvation through His death.. that paid for our sins.. a debt we cannot pay on our own.  Thank You for showing us Your way.. the way of Love and Truth..Thank You for calling us to Yourself and allowing us to run into Your arms.. into Your love....into Your Kingdom. Hallelujah. Amen.