Who are 'the little children' Jesus talks about?

[aspen]

the obvious answer is 'kids' and I do think he is talking about kids, but I think he is also talking about new Christians and people with 'childlike faith' who may not be theologians, but are faithful. There are many Christians that are like the widow who gave her last coin to God, which can be described as having 'childlike faith'. I think they are also the 'little children' we must not hurt. In this case, blugeoning them with doctrine, which is unnecessary because their faith is already strong. Good doctrine is good soil which produces strong plants and good fruit, but many fruit bearing plants can thrive, despite poor soil - berries come to mind. God works with all who seek him.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

I agree there is a deeper meaning to "little children" and childlike faith, aside from the obvious.

But I also believe we must be careful and not commend the widow for casting in her last coin. For she cast in out of "want".

Mark 12:44 KJV
[44] For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

The widow was taken advantage of. A couple of verses earlier, Jesus warned against it and was by no means praising the action:

Mark 12:38-40,44 KJV
[38] And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, [39] And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: [40] Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Immediately following the widow casting in out of her "want" to be devoured:

Mark 13:1-2 Says:
[1] And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here ! [2] And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

It wasn't the widows faith being shown, but rather her pressure and vulnerability to complete acts of works that the religious preyed upon. And her need.

Not commendable.

 

[FHII]

Aspen.... Like it. There are many small parts to your idea as I see it. First though, I assume you are speaking of Matthew 18:1-6.

I agree he was talking about kids. Plainly obvious as there were kids present. He was saying we must be converted and be humble like them. So yes he was talking about us as well.

Jesus doesn't mention faith in this discourse (not according to th KJV), but certainly he was talking along those lines. He mentioned being converted and humbling themselves.

Then again faith comes by hearing, can be increased, and is renewed day by day (or more properly our inward man is).

Point is perhaps there faith wasn't strong. Mustard seed faith, yes. That is enough.

I believe the bigger key point was that they were humble. They were converted (Believed) and being humble they were ready to listen with acceptance. Not only listrn, but follow without second guessing (which the disciples did constantly at the time).

Its not all about doctrine... But alot of it is. Especially if you can't put bad doctrine aside. Its also about following without saying, "now Lord... Are you sure?"

As for the widow... Personally I do find it a commendable story, but that is a different topic.

In any sense, this is just what I got out of the verses.

 

[aspen]

I believe the bigger key point was that they were humble. They were converted (Believed) and being humble they were ready to listen with acceptance. Not only listrn, but follow without second guessing (which the disciples did constantly at the time).

Yes! Insightful!

 

[amadeus]

"For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." Jerem 4:3

We must work with what we have, and this means improve it as we are able. Remember these verses:

"And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." Luke 13:8-9

In the flesh a child comes at the first with great innocence until the innocence is lost. Hopefully, what replaces the innocence will something good, but we know from our own experience and the daily news reports of the world, that it too often is not so.

God will deal with us in our innocence when we come to Him that way, even if in our flesh we are already quite old. Then are we also the children. Then will He be able to fill us with good things without first having to clear away so much accumulated garbage. People who have live long in the world with its worldly ways almost always have a great deal of accumulated garbage, unlike the new born babe.

Adam and Eve started out clean as little children in the flesh will do now. Adam and Eve only made one mistake, but God helped them to get past it. They in their lack of innocence tried to cover themselves, but were unable to do it properly. God gave them a better covering to keep them until he would send a better one with His Son.

The covering of the Son is available now, but in addition to keeping out additional garbage the filth within needs to be removed to make room for better things from God.

Babies at the first have no good or bad habits. Bad habits left from before we met the Master will not only hinder us in our walk toward God but will lead us back to sin again. The habits have to go as well. We do have to finally come to Him as a little child. Will He not help us to do that?

 

[ScottA]

the obvious answer is 'kids' and I do think he is talking about kids, but I think he is also talking about new Christians and people with 'childlike faith' who may not be theologians, but are faithful. There are many Christians that are like the widow who gave her last coin to God, which can be described as having 'childlike faith'. I think they are also the 'little children' we must not hurt. In this case, blugeoning them with doctrine, which is unnecessary because their faith is already strong. Good doctrine is good soil which produces strong plants and good fruit, but many fruit bearing plants can thrive, despite poor soil - berries come to mind. God works with all who seek him.

Here Jesus makes the distinction between his disciples (as little children) and the rest of the Jews:

John 13:33
"Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you."

...Because the Jews who were promised Messiah, rather than being born again (children), and receive salvation and eternal live through His death when they die, rather than receiving eternal life via the Holy Spirit ("when he comes") while living. These are the dead and the living "in Christ."

 

[DPMartin]

Here Jesus makes the distinction between his disciples (as little children) and the rest of the Jews:

John 13:33
"Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you."

...Because the Jews who were promised Messiah, rather than being born again (children), and receive salvation and eternal live through His death when they die, rather than receiving eternal life via the Holy Spirit ("when he comes") while living. These are the dead and the living "in Christ."

right the Lord was speaking of the trust and belief "child like faith" small children have especially for their parents or guardians. that is what the Father expects of His Children and no, Jesus isn't talking about "kids". and that trustiness if you will, the Apostles had for and in Jesus.

Jesus address His Apostles again as:


Joh 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

also note that in many cases where John speak of himself as the one the Lord loved and the sibling like competiveness between them especially John and Peter crops up every so often.

hence this humble attitude toward one's Father is expected, that one knows that the Father's Judgements are always good for you and Father always knows best, and He sees that it is so with you.

 

[Truth]

I agree there is a deeper meaning to "little children" and childlike faith, aside from the obvious.

But I also believe we must be careful and not commend the widow for casting in her last coin. For she cast in out of "want".

Mark 12:44 KJV
[44] For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

The widow was taken advantage of. A couple of verses earlier, Jesus warned against it and was by no means praising the action:

Mark 12:38-40,44 KJV
[38] And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, [39] And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: [40] Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Immediately following the widow casting in out of her "want" to be devoured:

Mark 13:1-2 Says:
[1] And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here ! [2] And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

It wasn't the widows faith being shown, but rather her pressure and vulnerability to complete acts of works that the religious preyed upon. And her need.

Not commendable.

Yes! with the understanding I have, the Saddusees did not believe in the Resurrection, and they had the, let us drink and be merry attitude, and they did pray on the widow's. I know that Jesus did rebuke them for such behavior, I THINK? I know that Jesus did refer to the widow placing her last mit, never thought it was because of priest pressure!

 

[Job]

I know that Jesus did refer to the widow placing her last mit, never thought it was because of priest pressure!

That's not why Jesus mentioned her. He was showing His disciples an example of true faith.


Mark 12
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.


The widow giving all she had is worth more to God than all who gave from their abundance. She gave out of faith, the others were giving to be seen.


That's how I view that passage.

k

 

[Stranger]

The opening statement is bull. Why would one open a thread and not give the Scriptural reference to which they are appealing to? Why? Because it makes it easier for them to go off on their own subjective interpretation. It said this, but it really must mean this. Sure, based on them. And that is all you got.

Stranger

 

[FHII]

The opening statement is bull. Why would one open a thread and not give the Scriptural reference to which they are appealing to? Why? Because it makes it easier for them to go off on their own subjective interpretation. It said this, but it really must mean this. Sure, based on them. And that is all you got.

Stranger

Stranger, I knew what verses Aspen was talking about. I even gave scriptural reference in my reply to make sure it was what he was getting at. Sure, he should've mentioned the verses directly. But enough info was given to know what he was talking about.

Yes, you should always give scriptural reference. Some new folk may not know it and even well-versed folk may have doubt. But I don't see any opinionated agenda going on here.

 

[Helen]

Stranger, I knew what verses Aspen was talking about. I even gave scriptural reference in my reply
But I don't see any opinionated agenda going on here.

Good post, totally agree.
I doubt there is any person here on the site who's mind didn't instantly go to the scripture and quote it in their heads!
A few people seem to be becoming somewhat 'picky' of others lately.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

That's not why Jesus mentioned her. He was showing His disciples an example of true faith.

Was He? If an ill widow was conned by Benny Hinn to give all she has, even her entire life savings, Benny Hinn promising her something from God because of her unshakeable faith...would that be commendable?

The widow and her last mite is used often to manipulate a person to tithe, or even better...give till it hurts.

And Jesus said: this IS coming down.

I am not criticizing the widow. I am saying she was devoured and, for me, that is not commendable. But then again, maybe I have it completely wrong and have missed the true meaning of the widow who gave her last mite.

 

[Helen]

Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Well @VictoryinJesus ... When Jesus said the above about her...I must say I do tend to believe Him!!

 

[amadeus]

Perhaps we are required to give as much or more even than that widow who gave her last mites in a freewill offering. What would be done with the money was likely not her concern and was probably unknown to her, but do we know what to do with these words?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom 12:1

When we have done this unto the end of our course, then will not the Lord say unto us,

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matt 25:21

 

[FHII]

Jesus... Children.... That's what we are discussing. Not the widow. Of course if everyone wants the conversation derailed, have at it. I for one am not interested.

 

[amadeus]

Jesus... Children.... That's what we are discussing. Not the widow. Of course if everyone wants the conversation derailed, have at it. I for one am not interested.

Programs in church services often quench the Spirit of God people who are wishing to follow His lead. The pastor or preacher may not want it, but what if God does? Would you or anyone else want to stand in God's way because He is not on the program?

 

[Job]

Was He? If an ill widow was conned by Benny Hinn to give all she has, even her entire life savings, Benny Hinn promising her something from God because of her unshakeable faith...would that be commendable?

Yes.

l

 

[Helen]

Jesus... Children.... That's what we are discussing. Not the widow. Of course if everyone wants the conversation derailed, have at it. I for one am not interested.

Sorry, amen...we need those gentle reminders...I obviously get hoodwinked ad derailed too easily. Keep up the good work.
Bless you.

 

[Stranger]

Stranger, I knew what verses Aspen was talking about. I even gave scriptural reference in my reply to make sure it was what he was getting at. Sure, he should've mentioned the verses directly. But enough info was given to know what he was talking about.

Yes, you should always give scriptural reference. Some new folk may not know it and even well-versed folk may have doubt. But I don't see any opinionated agenda going on here.

You say now 'you knew' yet you said you assumed in your post #3. Which is it.? aspen hasn't said anything to indicate you are right in your and others 'assumption'.