Jesus Teaches Child Like Humility

“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 11:

We continue examining the Greek word Pisteuo, translated “believe” in Matthew, Mark and Luke, where the following individuals are recorded as having uttered it:

1. Once by the Angel Gabriel who was sent from God to speak to the Priest Zacharias, see Vol 3, No 35,

2. Once by Elizabeth, wife of the Priest Zacharias, mother of John the Baptist, speaking to Mary, mother of Jesus, see Vol 3, No 36,

3. 25 times by Jesus Himself,

4. 5 times by Chief Priests, Scribes & Pharisees,

5. Once by the father of the demon possessed boy,

6. Twice by the Gospel writer Mark in his narrative.

We have already covered the first two items as well as 8 of the 25 occurrences when Jesus is recorded as having said, “believe.” In today's study we find Matthew, Mark and Luke all recording the occasion when Jesus taught His disciples that in order to enter the kingdom of heaven they must believe in child like humility. Matthew and Mark use the word believe once in their accounts of this incident, Matthew 18:11 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

- 61 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

; Mark 9:33 - 4233 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

but while Luke also records it, Luke 9:46 - 4846 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

, he didn't use the word believe in his account. In Matthew we read: “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:1 - 6.

Even though all 3 Gospel writers record this incident their accounts differ somewhat depending on their point of view and/or purpose. For instance, Mark quotes Jesus saying: “Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” Mark 9:3737 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

. Luke's account: “And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” Luke 9:4848 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

. Also, Jesus' reference in Matthew 18:66 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

as to the future punishment of anyone who offends such a little one is quoted almost word for word in Mark 9:4242 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

but Luke does not mention this.

We need to keep in mind and understand the positions of Jesus and those He was addressing. Jesus Christ was a man but He was also God, John 1:1 & 141 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

, so He was omnipotent. During His 3 year ministry He dealt with two categories of Jews in Israel, but both had limited, human understanding/knowledge:

1. The general population of Israel represented by the leaders, who were the highly educated elite, i.e., the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees. They looked for the Messiah that God had promised them in Old Testament Scriptures, however they were blinded by their own pride, self-righteousness and condescending attitude. They were far advanced from child like innocence; they resented and hated the humble carpenter's son from Nazareth who was not one of them. The vast majority in Israel followed these leaders.

2. A very small number of the Jewish population believed and followed Jesus. They were generally from the working class, such as fishermen and certainly not part of the educated elite. Jesus said to them: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:1616 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:1919 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

. See also Matthew 4:2121 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

; 22:14; 25:14; Mark 1:2020 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

; Luke 6:1313 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

; John 1:4848 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

; 15:15 & 16. God the Father gave the disciples to Jesus and when Jesus finished His work on earth He prayed that the Father would keep them as one, John 17:6 - 126 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

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During the 3 years Jesus was with them, His own disciples did not understand all He taught them. In particular, they didn't understand that He came to die as prophesied in the Old Testament, Mark 9:3232 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

: Luke 2:5050 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

; 9:45; John 8:2727 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.

; 10:6; 12:16. In fact they didn't begin to understand this until after His death and resurrection, when He “opened their understanding” and revealed it to them. Luke 24:44 & 4544 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

. And all though Christ chose them and they followed Him during the 3 years He was with them on earth they did not understand His nature, nor the nature of the Kingdom of God. This is proven by their reasoning among themselves as to who among them would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, Matthew 18:1; Mark 9:33 - 3533 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

; Luke 9:46 & 4746 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

. In this they demonstrated their natural human tendency to think only of themselves. In response, Jesus told them: “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” Matthew 18:4 & 54 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

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Let's consider the nature of a little child: he/she is totally dependant upon his/her parent/s for everything; food, shelter, safety, personal hygiene, training, etc. In innocence, a child believes what his/her parent tells them. The analogy is clear. Although Jesus was a mature man who could do whatever He wished He voluntarily took the subordinate attitude of a little child in relation to His Father. Nothing forced Him to assume this attitude; He did it voluntarily. He did God's will to the letter, living a life of perfect faith in the Word of God, Matthew 4:44 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

; Luke 4:44 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

; Hebrews 12:22 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

. We see confirmation of this in such passages as: “In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4:31 - 3431 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

. When Jesus walked this earth He was the antithesis of what mankind commonly looks to as a leader, Mark 10:42 - 4542 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

. He did His Father's will right up to a horrific death, Luke 22:4242 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

. He taught His disciples humbleness and love by both Word and example. But though He humbled Himself as a little child 2000 years ago He will be the greatest in the Kingdom of God/Heaven on earth in the future.

The Kingdom of God/Heaven has been in abeyance for about 2000 years, ever since the present age of Grace in which we live today was ushered in by The Lord Jesus Christ's revelation to the Apostle Paul. Justice to the oppressors has been delayed but the wrath of God will come upon any who offend His: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6.

During this age of Grace we learn from the Apostle Paul many truths that are similar to what Jesus taught His disciples while He was here on earth, among them being: “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:2 - 112 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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