Don’t Be Quick To Forget
Consider this. In Matthew 18, the disciples had a question: “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
To which Jesus replied by calling a child to himself, saying: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:2-6)
Seems pretty cut and dry, right? So then what happened between Matthew 18 and Matthew 19? The exact duration of time between chapters 18 and 19 isn’t specified in the text– but some time passes– enough for Jesus to travel, teach, and interact with various people.
It’s obvious that children are the most childlike people around, right? So then why in Chapter 19, verse 13, when children are brought to Jesus that he might lay hands on them and pray, the disciples shoo them away, and rebuke the people who brought them?
Of course Jesus stepped in and said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14). But it’s like, c’mon guys, didn’t we just establish this a chapter ago
But the truth is, if I’m honest, I’m not blameless of this myself. So here’s my prayer for today. Yahweh, when you so perfectly answer my questions, and when you speak in any form, don’t let me so quickly forget your words and answers– they are sacred and perfect.