Becoming like Little Children.
I. The disciples had asked our Lord, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And the answer which our Lord made, though it did not give them any particular light as to the manner in which the coming of His kingdom should be realized, did yet give them a view of one leading feature of that kingdom, and impressed it upon them in such a manner that they could never forget it. He took a little child, and set it in the midst of them as a pattern and example, and He said, "Except ye be converted" that is, except ye be altogether turned from your present jealous, ambitious, rivalrous state of mind "and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
II. Now it is obvious that there is much in the character of a little child from which the disciples of our Lord, as ourselves, might learn lessons of great value to their souls: childlike gentleness, teachableness, obedience, truthfulness, purity; in fact, the apparent absence of all the evil qualities and passions, which, though existing in the child's heart in the seed, have not yet become visible. But I apprehend there is one special quality of the mind of a little child which our Saviour intended principally to hold forth in the text, and this is its unconsciousness of any dignity belonging to it or to its actions. "Whosoever shall humblehimself," says our Lord, "as this little child."
III. The lesson which the disciples were chiefly intended to learn is not without its value for ourselves; for it points out to us (1) the manner in which we are to walk along the narrow way which leads to life, ever pressing towards the mark, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, without looking upon other things, and without comparing ourselves with others who are striving for the same crown. (2) Imitate little children in the matter of the relation in which your reason stands to your faith. God reveals to you that which you could never have found out for yourselves, and which therefore it becomes you to receive at His hands humbly and thankfully. If we first receive God's revelation with a little child's humility, and when we have received it, walk with a little child's purity and simplicity, then we shall be able to grow in the knowledge of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, until we come to that blessed state in which we shall know even as we are known.
Bishop Harvey Goodwin, Parish Sermons,2nd series, p. 310.
References: Matthew 18:1-4. H. Ward Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vi., p. 298. Matthew 18:1-10. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iii., p. 151.Matthew 18:1-14. A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve,p. 200; Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. iii., p. 40. Matthew 18:2. J. Keble, Sermons for Saints' Days,p. 77.