My photograph here is of a female peacock with her baby behind her. The baby eventually snuggled under the mama's breast feathers for safety and comfort. It reminds me of Matthew 23:37 where Jesus says, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."
This shows how Jesus had wanted to display tenderness and compassion and love to Jerusalem even though He was pointing out its great sins. In the preceding verses He had condemned the Pharisees and scribes in very strong language.
But the verses I would like to concentrate on in this post are found at Matthew 18:3-4 which follows:
"Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus' disciples were overly concerned with who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, which prompted Jesus to say the above statement.
In the previous post last weekend, we talked about the kingdom of heaven and how, in order to be a part of it, you needed to repent and also be born again. In the above verses, Jesus is telling us we need to become child-like and be humble in order to see the kingdom of heaven. Children are trusting and unpretentious. As believers in Christ, we should become as trusting and as humble as little children, having faith in the Lord and in His loving words to us which guide us in the Christian walk and in His footsteps. There is simplicity and meekness in the helpless and inexperienced child. We adult Christians should be meek as well, and simply trust in the Lord with all of our heart, mind, and soul. It is as much a duty to trust God as it is to serve Him.
We must, like little children, be teachable; and open to truth and to conviction. Also, it is a child's character to obey. If you are a true believer, you will endeavor to always obey God. Not self-willed and self-sufficient, but dependent on the Lord for guidance. His will, not yours, be done.
The child also has undoubting faith in his parents and teachers. We Christians should be the same toward God. Remember, "Without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6).
"Pride makes faith impossible." - Andrew Murray
The proud will say, "I can handle this", and not turn to the Lord for guidance. The proud will not be able to have true faith; that is why we need to be humble as little children. We are God's children, after all.
"According to what we have of God will be our real humility, because humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all." - Andrew Murray
Remember, God hates pride.
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." - Proverbs 8:13
To me, male peacocks are very prideful in their display and attitude. It's as if they know they are beautiful and so they strut their stuff. Christians should not be that way.
How do we cultivate the grace of humility?
The first root of humility is love.
Realize yourself the object of great mercy. Take all of your blessings as an act of an individual favor to you. Be grateful.
Be more reverential. If your health permits, get down on your knees in prayer to the Sovereign God of the universe, and realize every breath you take comes from Him. He is the Almighty God and He is in control.
Always try to keep yourself a little child, spiritually speaking. You are God's child; rely on Him and trust in Him as you would if you were a child. Your heavenly Father loves you and wants the best for you. Read and study your Bible and pray continuously in order to develop a close, personal, intimate relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. If you have such a close relationship with God, you will learn humility and obey Him as a child does its earthly Father. You will reverence the Lord.
Have a happy and a Christ centered weekend!
