Matthew 18:6, 10, 12-14

Matthew 18:6, 10, 12-14 NIV

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

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Jesus continues teaching the disciples after they had inquired about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He told them that they must change and humble themselves like children to enter the kingdom. In the teaching that followed Jesus refers to little ones-those who believe in Him. We might presume that Jesus is talking about children since He had previously mentioned youngsters, but as I read the teaching it becomes apparent that Jesus is talking about new believers.

The Greek word mikros can be translated as young in age, but there are other valid translations.

Little Ones "mikros":

>of time: short, brief, a little while, how little!

>small in rank or influence

In the church there are new converts who need nurture just like little children. Sadly our churches are all too often focused only on Sunday programming and these short timers are left to fend for themselves without a guide. I recently was saddened to hear how one convert was exposed to deplorable behavior by members of the church under the influence of alcohol. As a result this little one left the church!

The newly converted are wide open and filled with childlike curiosity. As such Jesus says their angels always look upon the face of God in heaven. This talk of angels is hard to grasp. You've probably heard of guardian angels, but this concept is not universally believed. The Jews of Jesus' day thought of powers influencing and controlling life. There are principalities, authorities, rulers and powers of this world. Some are under the power of demons, some under righteous angels. In such a worldview each person has a spiritual emanation representing themselves before God, and God to them.

So basically my interpretation is that the newly converted are closer to God in a childlike innocence. They are vulnerable; longing for and seeking their heavenly Father. This state is tender and doesn't last, just like childhood. Their faith needs nurturing and support from the spiritually mature. Woe to the one who leads them astray.

Jesus warns the church about looking down upon the lesser among us, whether in economic and social standing or spiritual children. To abuse and mislead these little ones is a travesty. The consequences are severe, but God doesn't want to lose a single soul to Satan. He seeks us out like a shepherd searching for a lost sheep.

I'm encouraged by Jesus teaching. While He condemns my sins for leading others away from Him, He still loves me. Though I have gone astray, away from the safety of God's flock, He calls out to me. He finds my lost soul and brings me home. And He seeks out those little ones who've been led astray and brings them home too.

I'm thankful for the word of God. It tells me the truth about my sin and the greater truth of God's saving love through Jesus Christ.