Bible reading for 40.Day 2025 | Matthew 18:1-4

Have you ever wondered why Jesus would pick a child as the defining metaphor for what it means to be His disciple?

Today, we look at a passage that will completely change the way that we perceive children — Matthew 18:1-4.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.””

How we view children

In Jesus’ time, children had no status, no authority, and no achievements to boast about. Imagine how the disciples must have felt when Jesus did what He did! Surely Jesus could have picked someone more qualified, like a political or religious leader, a successful businessman, or a powerful warrior — maybe even one of the disciples themselves?

Let’s be honest: Like the disciples, you and I also often measure greatness in the Kingdom of God by a person’s proximity to Jesus or by their achievements for Him. When we look at pastors, leaders and missionaries who have planted churches, built great congregations and won many souls for the Lord, we naturally think to ourselves, “These are great men and women in God’s Kingdom.”

But when we look at children, the thoughts that cross our minds probably sound quite different:

“Aiyoh, why so noisy?”

“Why does my church allow children in the main service?”

“Huh? Teach children how to share the Gospel? They can’t even sit still during Sunday School!”

“I would love to let children serve, but who will pay if there’s any damage to the equipment? Who?”

Just like in Jesus’ time, children today are seen as unready, unqualified and unspiritual.

Once, when our son Nathan was in Primary Two, he wanted to bring copies of our storybook Why is Good Friday Good  to school to give out to his friends. Outwardly, like good Christian parents should, we said, “What a great idea!” But inwardly, we were terrified. Why did he want to do that? What if he got into trouble? What if we got into trouble?

Jesus thinks differently

We often say that God gives us children to help us grow up, and this time was no exception. As it turns out, Nathan’s simple act of faith and obedience to God became an amazing opportunity for the Gospel to be proclaimed.

God loves to take what appears weak and foolish to the world to shame those of us who are wise in our own eyes. Just as He did with the disciples, Jesus continues to challenge our preconceived ideas about children and about greatness in God’s kingdom.

In His great grace, He offers us a brand new way of thinking that not only shifts our perspectives of children but also transforms how we view ourselves and our achievements.

Take a moment to think about the children in your church, your home, and your community. Do we see them as distractions to manage — or disciples to nurture? Are they a problem to be solved — or people to be loved? Do we invite them in — or push them aside? What would it look like if we went all in to win, disciple, and grow children in the Lord?

Today, the challenge is clear. If we are to be true followers of Jesus, we must do what He commands—we must turn and become like little children. To do that, we start by seeing children the way Jesus sees them. We welcome them, disciple them, and learn from them.

When we do, something incredible happens: Not only will the children grow in faith, but so will we. As we embrace them like Jesus does, we ourselves discover the kind of wide-eyed, big-hearted, deeply rooted, childlike faith that Jesus calls us to.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of being called Your children. Even as we acknowledge this great and precious truth, we admit that many times, we have tried to be “adults of God” instead. We have forgotten what it means to be children. And because of that, we have overlooked and even despised the children in our midst.

Forgive us, Lord. Give us a new perspective – Your perspective on children. Help us see them the way You see them, so that we will love them, win them over, disciple them, and help them grow as followers of Jesus. As we do so, may we remember that You call us to be like them, for it is only in humility and lowliness that we truly understand the greatness of Your heart and Your purposes for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflect:

1. Has there been a time you were surprised, or even challenged by a child’s faith? Reflect on why you were surprised.

2. How do children approach God compared to the way adults approach Him?

3. How can we encourage and release our children to exercise their faith?

Pray:

1. That we will truly understand the heart of God towards the little children so that we will see them as He sees them and support them as they grow in faith.

2. That we will open our hearts to love, disciple and develop our children into true believers, treating them as Jesus would.

3. That we will become like little children, running to the arms of Jesus, exercising simple faith, believing whatever the Lord says is true.

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