Matthew 18:1-20

Be Still: Lord, we praise you today, that you love to be with us, increase your presence amongst us we pray. Amen

Read: Matthew 18:1-20

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.' (v2,3)

Encounter: Time and again I've used the verses above as a get-out-of-jail-free card!

The other day, in the church office kitchenette, I embraced my inner Phil Collins (and child!) and began a drum solo using two teaspoons on anything I could find. The tea canister became the bass, the fridge the tom, and cutlery became the cymbals; it was a thing of beauty. Another staff member soon got involved with a few more teaspoons and soon the ensemble was in full flow. There was (in my opinion) joy flowing through the office with every tap of a spoon. Ignorantly, I hadn’t factored in that others might be trying to do some work. In my defence, I was trying to share a Matthew 18:3 posture with the wider staff team – though they might not have appreciated it!

But there’s child-like and child-ish.

Children are strong-willed, determined, passionate, creative, quick to forgive, feel things hard, fun, joyous, trusting, and the list goes on… Jesus elevates them in front of the grown-ups, in front of the ones who thought they were more important than these minors. In the topsy-turvy Kingdom of God, Jesus places value on those undervalued and overlooked.

Jesus was calling out the childish adults. The immature, the bitter, the self-seeking and the self-promoting. The ones who hold grudges, the ones who scheme and speak badly of others. Jesus doesn’t desire childish but child-like.

Be like these children, he said. Maybe Jesus isn’t saying grab a couple of teaspoons and go wild, but maybe he is saying, relax, don’t take yourselves too seriously, remember the gift of your salvation, and celebrate the life you’ve been given. Love well, forgive quickly, and be passionate in your worship of God.

Apply: Contemplate God's topsy-turvy Kingdom, where the pure in heart see God, where the meek inherit the earth, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are filled.

Devote: Lord God, help us to mature into the childlike nature you desire. May there be moments today where we unreservedly relax and enjoy the gifts that you have given us.