Kingdom Focus: love for “little ones”

So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:14

This is the tender love God has for those who in childlike faith trust in Jesus for salvation. To understand this we must see this verse in its context. Matthew 18 begins with the disciples arguing their own righteousness over which of them is the “greatest” in the kingdom. It’s ludicrous! Jesus is grieved by this, and gently bringing in a small child as a visible example of His sermon, He corrects them. He reminds them that the simple faith of a small child is necessary to even enter the kingdom. It isn’t about “great works”. Children aren’t capable of that. It is about humility, trust, repentance, and faith (Matthew 18:1-4).

Then Jesus warns them of the dangers of harming that faith. If someone else tempts one of His believers into sin, that person falls under God’s judgment (Matthew 18:5-6). And when a follower of Jesus fights sinful temptations, it is best for them to take radical measures because nothing less than the kingdom of heaven is at stake (Matthew 18:7-9).

And finally, Jesus reminds His disciples to never despise the “little ones” with childlike faith, for like a Good Shepherd, God would leave 99 safe in the fold in order to find one that strays away. It is His will to keep all that come to Him. And His followers should be as diligent to care for one another (Matthew 18:10-14). Kingdom focus is all about living for what God is doing, caring for the Church that He is saving, and loving others more than self.