Kingdom Come: Unless You Change and Become Like Children (Matthew 18:1-9)

In Matthew 18:1-9, Jesus addresses questions of greatness and status within the Kingdom of Heaven. When the disciples ask who is the greatest, Jesus places a child among them and explains that true greatness is found in humility and taking a lowly position, as children in His time were considered of low status. He emphasises the need for a complete reversal of worldly values—moving away from the pursuit of personal status and power toward humility and service. Jesus warns of severe consequences for causing others, especially the vulnerable, to stumble or fall away from faith. He uses vivid imagery to stress the importance of removing anything that leads one into sin, illustrating that it is better to sacrifice and deal with personal discomfort than to face the ultimate judgement for allowing sin to fester.

• Humility:
  Jesus uses the example of a child to illustrate the need for humility and a reversal of societal status hierarchies. In ancient times, children were at the bottom of the social ladder, and Jesus is challenging his followers to adopt this lowly position willingly. This is not about embodying childlike traits like wonder or innocence but rather about taking on the status of vulnerability and humility.

• Causing Others to Stumble:
  Jesus emphasises the grave consequences of causing others, especially the vulnerable and new believers, to stumble or fall away from faith. The use of hyperbolic language about a millstone and eternal fire underscores the severe nature of this offence. This teaching highlights the importance of protecting and nurturing the faith of those who are weak or vulnerable in the community.

• Radical Measures: Jesus advises taking radical action against sin, using hyperbolic examples like cutting off a hand or gouging out an eye. We are told to decisively remove anything from our lives that leads us into sin, emphasising that the cost of dealing with sin is far less than the consequences of letting it fester.

Potential Applications:

• Fostering a Culture of Humility and Servanthood:
  Encourage the church to adopt a posture of humility in their interactions, both within the church and in their broader social circles. This might involve serving others selflessly, volunteering in roles that are often overlooked or undervalued, and practising radical hospitality that honours those who are marginalised or vulnerable.

• Personal Reflection and Accountability:
  Urge individuals to examine their own lives for areas where they might be causing others to stumble, whether through their behaviour, speech, or attitudes. This could lead to implementing personal accountability measures, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation where needed, and making deliberate changes to avoid becoming a stumbling block for others in their faith journey.