Matthew 18 - Don't Cause the Little Ones to Stumble!

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. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:4-7

Jesus explained to His disciples that this new spiritual kingdom was one that had to be received as a little child. We as parents understand how a little child believes anything a parent will tell them. The kingdom works in like fashion - one must believe what God says about His plan for righteousness; it is a plan that comes by believing and resting in the finished work on the cross, and NOT on the works of man under the Old Covenant/temple system.

Jesus also has harsh words for those during His day who would put obstacles before God's little children who had come to believe. The Bible and history tell us that many Jewish people who came to believe in Jesus were subject to great pressure from their families, community, and the rulers of the synagogues to fall away from their faith and go back to the sacrificial system. 'Woe unto that man by whom the offenses come,' is what the Lord said. Judgment was waiting for these people in 70AD.

Today there are many who put obstacles before believers to give up on their faith and go back to religion and the world's way of doing things. All of us must stand firm under opposition and hold fast to the truth, no matter the cost!