Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Passage: Matthew 17:14-18:14
Focus: “Unless you change.” Matthew 18:3
I remember a little quip that I think is well said: “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” The point is, and it is one heavily supported by scripture, that no human is going to accidentally enter the “kingdom of heaven” with typical human thoughts, attitudes, and values. One must be prepared by a special change that removes from him the natural human stuff that is in conflict with the character of Christ and the requirements of the Kingdom. So Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The idea of the necessity of change is found throughout the New Testament. For example, Jesus’ words here are similar to the ones made to Nicodemus when He said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (Jn. 3:3). There is also a close parallel with Peter’s words when he says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Pet 1:3-4).
Notice that in this instance Jesus is speaking to His disciples. They are the ones who need change. Why did He talk to them this way? Wasn’t it sufficient change for them to leave their homes and occupations and join ranks with Jesus, following Him around the country, participating in all the great meetings and miracles? Wasn’t it sufficient change to have been appointed by Jesus and be given power for a special tour where they effortlessly performed marvelous miracles of healing and deliverance? Well, maybe that’s part of the problem. Perhaps they were now a bit overly inflated with their elite and exclusive “membership” and ministry successes that their vital link with the true power source was kind of impaired. Maybe they thought they could carry on by themselves since they had been so successful in the past. So when Jesus was up on the mountain with Peter, James, and John (as well as Moses, Elijah, and the Father), the other nine disciples probably thought it was a piece of cake to expel the demon from the boy overcome with seizures. But something was amiss. They met with humiliating failure. Why? Jesus said it was “because you have so little faith” (17:20).
I’m inclined to believe that the “little faith” Jesus speaks of here is not so much a matter of quantity as it is quality. When the disciples approach Jesus with their question as to who is the greatest, He gives us some insight into the desirable quality of faith. When I really think about it, a little child does indeed have a special quality of great faith. He is neither capable of nor concerned with things like buying the food, repairing the car, fixing the roof, or paying the bills. He is totally dependent on his parents or guardians for everything. In the same way, great faith, or proper quality faith, is one that looks to the Lord for everything, because without Him we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5).
If this is the kind of change Jesus is looking for, please, let’s not stop changing.