Suffer little children not!

Charitoō

Jesus makes a lot of little children and the Kingdom of God.

In Matthew 19:14 He makes this very profound statement, warning the wolves and scavengers, the serpents and deceivers, the mixers and matchers of the Babylonian doctrine (confusion by mixture), the Pharisees, those coming with another gospel, as Paul says. 

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus’ words follows a lengthy discussion with His disciples in Matthew 18 on who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This subject is of significance being captured in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and Mark.

Jesus’s answer is even more spectacular and pertinent.

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. Mat 18:3 

He says to the disciples unless you are converted (strephō) meaning unless you are turned around (to turn one’s self from the one’s course of conduct, to renew your mind) …

And become like children (paidion) literally meaning children in intellect and understanding – believing (with the faith of Jesus) without reservation, believing without questioning brought about through religion and debate and reasoning of man and tradition and man made rules and ideas …

You shall not enter (eiserchomai). The concept of this word is profound. It means to come and go into the House and is used also as the word meaning to take possession, to make your own such as in a very intimate way – like eating.

Who turns us around?

Jesus is the One Who once and for all turned things around through the cross, His resurrection and His abiding Spirit!

When He says we should be converted, He points to the cross, the very point that converts our being from law performing humans-doings, attempting to do good, to human-beings founded in His unmerited favour – Grace!

To convert is the same as metanoia or to have a change of mind (heart) and to discover one’s original purpose, God intended purpose with his children from before creation was! (See Heb 6:6 & Rom 2:4)

Jesus was reprimanding his disciples turning some parents away from them bringing their children to be blessed by Him. They were acting like Pharisees, like the modern church leaders, elders, religious system. Those who by ignorance or attachment to their traditions and such like things misguide, mislead and deceive the little flock. Children, those with a pure heart and yearning after Jesus’ love and grace were being turned away by those who thought that they had a better understanding, taught and groomed in the law, learned and qualified to the last precept and liturgy of religious doctrine, who 'knew' exactly what religion wants.

… suffer the children not

… forbid them not

… those that As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word 1Pe 2:2

 Jesus becomes really passionate about His elect when He continues:

Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 18:5  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Mat 18:6  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.

Mat 18:7  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!

It is not a condition. It's a conclusion! We are humbled in the presence of Greatness … always … living inside us! Makes us children who can not get enough of Him.

How then shall we ever allow ourselves to offend, to forbid, to suffer the fellow-children of our flock with our own skewed interpretations and not direct them to hear for themselves from the Lover - measured against Him - His Word, His Grace, His Good News? We cannot!

We should not! Woe to us, should we not reveal the true character of the beloved Bridegroom, the Good News Himself with Whom there is no hint of darkness.

Oh glory to Yah'shua, who opened the door forever and of who no one can shut, so that we may enter in!