New Babes in Christ
August 26, 2022
Commentary
Children are important to God. In order to demonstrate the importance God attaches to them, the Lord gave the disciples the following illustration (v. 10). Suppose a man who owns one hundred sheep suddenly discovers that one is missing (vv. 11-12). Will he not leave them and search for the one until he finds it. Then when he finds it there will be more rejoicing over that sheep than the ninety-nine which didn’t go astray (v. 13).
In the same way God, the Father is concerned about these little ones (new babes in Christ) and does not want to lose any of them (v. 14). While God permits man to perish in his unbelief, He does not send him to such condemnation against his will (II Peter 3:9). God wants “all men to come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:4). Instead, all of heaven rejoices over every lost sheep which is saved. After they are saved, He also wants them to be discipled. They are like new babies born into this world. “As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (I Peter 2:2). They are not able to feed themselves and they need milk (simple teaching), not meat.
It is dangerous to look disrespectful upon small children because God values them highly. The Father cares for them and the angels watch over them (v. 10). In these days of child neglect and child abuse, we need to take this warning seriously. It is better to drown with a heavy millstone around your neck, than to abuse a child and face the judgment of God (Matt. 18:6).
Application
What am I doing to help new babes in Christ? Do I know of any new Christians who need someone to help them start to walk in the Christian life? Word of Life has a good ten week follow-up course to help new Christians.
Matthew 18:10– 14 (NET)
10 “See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If someone owns a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go look for the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that one of these little ones be lost.
Illustration: Mary Says Grace
Celeste Sibley, one-time columnist for the Atlanta (GA) Constitution, took her three children to a diner for breakfast one morning. It was crowded and they had to take separate seats at the counter. Eight-year-old Mary was seated at the far end of the counter and when her food was served she called down to her mother in a loud voice, “Mother, don’t people say grace in this place?” A hush came over the entire diner and before Mrs. Sibley could figure out what to say, the counterman said, “Yes, we do, sister. You say it.” All the people at the counter bowed their heads. Mary bowed her head and in a clear voice said, “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food.” (Bits and Pieces, May, 1990, p. 10).