Reading
SAA Notes
Jesus means us to take what He says in 18:1-9 very seriously. When we speak with like seriousness, we too use hyperbole – eg I wish I could cut my tongue out.
SJA Notes
* Dear God, please teach us from Your word today. May we be humble like a child.
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
What does Jesus mean about humbling ourselves “like a child”?
Humility is an important attribute of the believer.
But it’s not a practice limited to believers. Indeed, some of God’s people seem to struggle hard with pride in self and arrogance toward others.
If you scratch history you can find people who believed in being humble but who weren’t followers of Jesus.
Why are we to be humble like a child then? Is there any difference with a more general “be humble”?
A child is humble in being totally dependent on their parent.
They cannot possible do what needs to be done, and so are humble (and humbled).
This is a word for us today!
How much do we rely on ourselves instead of our Heavenly Father?
How much do we try and organise and plan for ourselves instead of trusting our Good Shepherd to lead us (walking in obedience)?
This is why Jesus teaches us to pray that THIS DAY, please Lord, give us today our daily bread.
Today. This day. Not tomorrow, for tomorrow carries enough trouble and mess for itself.
TODAY.
* Father God,
Please mark us as humble like a child.
Please help us as we wrestle with and work through how to submit under and rely upon and trust in You for today.
Please help us Lord, for we can find it so hard to do.
Please give us today our daily bread Lord, both earthly and heavenly, the temporal and the lasting.
Amen.