“Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever becomes humble like a child is greatest in the Kingdom … Whosoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” ~ Jesus (Matthew 18:3-5)

 

If radically implemented into one’s life (as well as utilized while reading the Bible itself), this passage becomes one of the most important in the entire Bible.  Please consider:
First and foremost, realize that Jesus doesn’t use the standard word for “children” here, but actually uses the Greek word for a “very young child” – namely, an infant or a toddler (“paidion” – Strong’s #3813).

Secondly, note as well that the former (infants) are ever grateful — seeing the world as ever wondrous, while the latter (toddlers) are ever gentle — Loving without condition all others who cross their path (the Love that is required whenever Loving “in Jesus’ name” – a name that essentially meant “God guides from within”).

 

And this twofold realization harmonizes fully with Jesus’ call for us all to Love all-out in order to enter his internal, experiential “Kingdom of Heaven” (see Matthew 24:12-14 & John 13:15-17 & Matthew 7:21-22 & Matthew 25:35-40 et al) – a Kingdom that is not coming in the future after we die, but is rather “already both within and all around” us (see Luke 17:20-21 – also the “at hand” of Matthew 10:7 et al).

 

Filed under: My Favorite Verses by Scaughdt