by Israel Leito
Matthew 18:3-6: “And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millestone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
During His ministry on earth, Jesus used many props and illustrations to teach us valuable lessons. He used many illustrations from agrarian and fishers’ villages to convey important lessons because He was in an agrarian society and also traveled extensively to those areas. However, in His wisdom and foresight, He also used props to speak universally to those who would not be too familiar with agriculture or fishery.
The usage of children as props for His illustrations is universal, because there is no society nor culture where children are not known. The best of it is that children are children wherever they are. Therefore, it does not matter if we are city dwellers or living in a suburban setting, or isolated in a rural area, we will always have access to learn from children regardless of the environment or circumstances we are in.
There are so many lessons children can teach us as perceived and expressed by Jesus. Humility is one of the greatest lessons we can learn from children. “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom…” Jesus said. It is imperative for God’s children to be humble like a normal average little child. Humility does not come easy, for in many cases it is used as a means to an end, rather than being a character trait. In most cases we want to “win.” This urge to always be on top or “come out as the winner” is what is driving many a good Christian into situations that are far from how the Lord wants us to be. The way we interact, the way we react to each other, the things we say about each other, all are indicative that we want to be the winner all the time. It is a lofty goal when one can determine that “I don’t have to win all the time.” This is the first step in being humble, for only then can I follow Paul’s injunction of Romans 12:10 to “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (NIV)
Humility is a virtue the Lord has shown us in precepts and examples, and who are we to be other than what He wants us to be? Jesus knew the virtue of not trying to put yourself first, of not presenting yourself as the “gift of God to humanity,” but rather to recognize that “God is first, others second and I last.” Phil. 2:3 helps us to understand this better, for in it Paul says: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” To consider others better than one’s self requires an enormous amount of courage. It is to appreciate others, celebrate others and not be envious of the success of others. On the other hand, humility is also not rubbing it in on others, by all the time making it known “how good I am,” and “look what I have achieved.” Humility means to be gracious when others are honored, and to be humble when I am honored. When we thus live one for the other, God’s name, and His name only, will be glorified and honored.
If we would only follow these instructions and examples of the Lord, then life will have a totally new meaning and direction. There will be less suffering because of the attitude of others. There will be less anger because “I am not considered” or feel by-passed. There will be less of, “Why is it that I am not considered.” Our feelings and attitude will not be determined by the behavior of others, but we can rather say “I prefer that you go ahead.”
Humility is one of the many lessons children can teach us, and it will be very good for us to heed the admonition of the Lord, and remember to be humble, for it is a true saying when Jesus said: “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).