Faith Like a Child – Message 3
Focus: Entering the Kingdom with faith like a Child
Summary: Jesus tells that the Kingdom of God belongs to those with Child-like Faith
Luke 18:15-17 (ESV)
Let the Children Come to Me
15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
1) A Parable Sets the Stage
Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The core teaching in the verses is found in v. 14:
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
Those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Jesus uses the example of two men with radically different positions to illustrate the nature of what humility looks like:
The Pharisee would have been seen as having undeniable status and prominence within 1st Century Jewish Culture.
The Tax Collector, on the other hand, would have been seen as one of the lowest of the low (he was afterall working for the Roman government to collect taxes from his own people. He would have been perceived as a traitor and a thief and he would have been hated by his own people.
So when Jesus tells the parable he is flipping the script and challenging the way that people would understand their culture and apply criticism and judgement, in a sense this is a call for people to reevaluate their view of real status
2) Such Belongs to the Kingdom of God
Luke 18:15-16
15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
“18:15–16 People begin bringing their babies and children to Jesus, and he blesses them. However, soon the disciples attempt to turn the children away. Nevertheless, Jesus forbids the disciples from turning the children away and invites them to come to him.”
Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Lk 18:15–17.
Another Contrast: The disciples vs. babies
“even infants” – This is a statement about status, remember our first week when we talked about the lowly status of children, who are unable to care for themselves, make money, lead well, or contribute to society…and yet, again we find another disciple (Luke) presenting a view that identifies children as lowly. Again this was cultural, and lets face it kids are highly dependent and they have varying levels of capacity…but they have so much worth within the context of a family…and Jesus taught that these little ones are in fact the ones who others should model themselves after.
-Jesus is blessing children that are being brought by their parents, he is taking time to care for the least of these (those who are utterly dependent).
-The disciples, at that moment, begin to rebuke the parents.
-But Jesus, calls the pride of the disciples into question and rather than affirming their action informs all that were present that the dependent children actually possess the characteristics of those who are part of God’s kingdom.
This comparison, and the previous parable, provide unique but connected teachings regarding pridefulness. The Pharisee in the parable was the pinnacle of pridefulness, remember his prayer:
“‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’”
While, in the story of the little children, the disciples are the ones in the place of arrogance…and in order to make this clear, Jesus rebukes his students and makes space for the babies.
3) Receive the Kingdom of God like a Child
Luke 21:17
17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
“18:17 Jesus welcomes the children because they represent those who have a childlike faith. In fact, unless one demonstrates complete childlike trust, one will not obtain eternal life.”
Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Lk 18:15–17.
Rather than challenging the children to become like the disciples Jesus challenges the disciples to become like the children.
Like the disciples, far too often, we allow our own arrogance, our own self-valuation, to get in the way of God’s will for our lives.
And what is the solution to this struggle?
Luke, within these verses identifies that humility, rather than pride, is expected from those who will dwell within the kingdom of God, and that our ultimate dependence upon the Lord, rather than dependence upon ourselves, prepares us for our residence in this kingdom.
Questions:
1) When you truly examine your own way of thinking, do you align more with the Pharisee or the Tax Collector? The disciple or the child?
2) Why do self-justification and self-reliance override humility and utter dependence?
3) Why does arrogance take precedence over humility in our lives? How can we combat this? (Possible answers: acknowledge the power and might of the Lord, submit to Him, allow Him to truly shape your life, and trust that He is enough).
4) How can you personally combat pride and lean into dependence?
