Matthew 18:3, like little children

[Nine_Two]

"And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” NIV

This verse has been on my mind lately. I’m curious how the people on this forum look at it (Catholics and non-Catholics alike), how do you personally interprete it or try to incorporate it into your life?

I see it as a command to approach the faith as a child approaches things, with a naive curiosity, but that ultimately, like a little child, we need to bow to those who are greater than us (parents in the case of the child), and who have more experience and listen to what they have to say.

Any other perspectives? Anyone who thinks we need to literally act like little children (at least one Anabaptist sect believed as much ).

 

[Skyfrog]

As we get older, most of us tend to become more cynical about the motives of other people, which can lead to varying degrees of pre-judging and hard-heartedness. Despite this, there are moments when our guard suddenly drops, when we see things in a different way, and realise things aren’t always the way we think they are. These are the moments, if you believe in these kind of things, when maybe God enters our lives and points us towards something new.

Yours,

Skyfrog

 

[creationlover]

I see it as a command to see God as the children who approached Jesus in that setting: full of wonder, faith and trust. The children approached Jesus in spite of the disciples’ discouragement; much like the Roman centurion who displayed faith for the healing of his servant or the woman with the issue of blood.

Jesus desires us to have a relationship similar to that which Adam and Eve had with God before the fall - vulnerable, trusting, curious and ready to follow Him anywhere, as a child who trusts a loving parent.

 

[mortonsam]

Watch a child receive a new bicycle for Christmas. The joy in their eyes and the overwhelming happiness is all you will see. They do not have one inkling of its cost or where it came from or who had to go through what to get it. All they are is full of joy and acceptance toward it. Our Salvation is given to us in the same manner. We can’t earn it. It is a free gift which we accept freely and joyously as a child accepts a gift.