Jesus’ Children

Matthew 18:6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

There is a local news program which begins by asking the question “It’s 10 o’clock. Do you know where your children are?” I was raised to be respectful of others and if someone ask you a question then you should answer it. Each night at 10:01, I begin calling this news station to let them know where my children are. They don’t seem to really want to hear my response. It makes me wonder if they really care about where my children are.

Matthew 18:9 is often used to describe what God will do to those who harm little children. However, if you read this verse in the context of Jesus’ message, he is referring to his children. His followers had just asked who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. His answer is in two parts. First, you must be converted and secondly you should become like a little child to even enter the kingdom of heaven. Children are characterized as humble, innocent, dependent and vulnerable. Because of these characteristics, it is very easy to mislead and harm children. The role of Christian leadership is to point others to conversion and living a life of childlike faith and God dependency. In verse 7, Jesus pronounces a “Woe” upon those you cause his children to sin or stumble. In others words, you would be better off dead than to mislead his followers. We live in a world of hypervigilance as to whether we might offend someone. The concept of sin has to be eliminated because it is offensive. It is bad enough that the world does this but it is extremely concerning when those in Christian leadership follow suit. The Gospel message is the good news of God’s plan to save the world. It is also offensive because it offends our sinful nature. Without this offensiveness then we have no reason to convert or repent. We live in a time when many churches eliminate the offensive scriptures and paint Jesus as a first century hippie flashing the peace sign and singing “all we need is love.” Read the first 10 verses of Matthew 18. They are offensive.

The word of God is a double-edged sword which cuts and heals at the same time. Instead of avoiding or eliminating the verses that offend or cut let’s embrace them because all scripture is for our benefit. The surgeon must cut before he can heal. God’s truth cuts away at our sinful nature so we can be can be healed through conversion and walking in childlike faith. Let us take heed of Christ’s warning and be sober minded in how we lead those who look to us for guidance.

It’s 10 o’clock. Does Jesus know where his children are? You bet he does and you better be careful how you lead them.

Jonathan Jones, President and Founder of Perfect Hope Ministries