What Jesus Did! 'Accepting Children' — Matthew 18:5

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

[Jesus continued,] "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me."
— Matthew 18:5 NLT

Key Thought

There are two key thoughts here:
  1. Jesus was talking about actual children. His rebuke of the disciples when they didn't welcome children, but pushed them away, was clearly an example of that.
  2. He was also using children as a metaphor for disciples. Because children in Jesus' culture were powerless, without rights, and vulnerable, they became the symbol for disciples who are powerless, without rights, and vulnerable. This characteristic of disciples is the deeper issue that will dominate the rest of the chapter.
On the surface, disciples who are powerless in this current world's view may not have anything to offer the community. But Kingdom thinking is upside down to "the way men think." To be on the side of God means to be on the side of welcoming, accepting, and receiving "little ones" whether they are actual children or disciples who are little in the sight of the world. Because Jesus adamantly rejected the normal channels to fame and fortune and instead walked the way of the cross - the punishment reserved for the powerless, those without rights, and those who were vulnerable - his disciples should welcome and care for those like their Savior!

Today's Prayer

Forgive me, O God, for judging people on the surface out of a selfish desire for what they can give me or how they can help me or make me feel comfortable. Open my heart to receive the "little ones" you place around me each day. Give me more of your shepherd's heart. In the name of Jesus, the Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Compassion International
Illustration of Matthew 18:5
Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me. - Matthew 18:5
Breathtaking!
Article by Phil Ware
For God so loved us that he came to our world as a child. Phil Ware reminds us of the divine titles for Jesus in Matthew 1 and then drives home the point that this divine Christ, Messiah, Son of God, Immanuel, God with us, came to us as the child, Jesus.
Sticking with God's Ideal
Article by Paul Faulkner
Why do we not fight harder to stick with God's ideal? Paul reminds us of God's plan for marriage, without divorce; so let's fight to keep it.
Immanuel: In Spiritual Family
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, I began yesterday to share with you the four Immanuel passages in the book of Matthew. Recall that Immanuel is the name given to Me in...."

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 18:5 NLT — [Jesus continued,] "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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