Be Like Children: The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven
Yeshua’s words in Matthew 18:3 – “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” – seem simple on the surface but carry profound depth. Yeshua directs our attention to a heart condition that pleases God, revealing that the path to His Kingdom runs through humility, sincerity, and trust.
Children embody purity and simplicity. They humbly acknowledge their dependence on parents, just as we must learn to recognize our complete dependence on our Heavenly Father. This is not weakness, but true strength—surrendering control to the One who knows everything.
Children are devoid of pretense. They are genuine in their joys, sorrows, and requests. Their hearts are open, and this is precisely the kind of transparency God expects from us. He doesn’t want our masks or attempts to appear better than we are. Instead, He waits for us to approach Him exactly as we are—with trust and a hunger for His presence.
Children know how to trust. They believe their parents will care for them, protect them, and provide for their needs. Similarly, when we become like children, we learn to trust God unconditionally, believing He acts for our good even when we don’t understand the circumstances.
Yeshua’s call challenges us to abandon our pride, fears, and desire to control everything. This is difficult because the world teaches us to be strong, independent, and always ready to defend ourselves. But God’s Kingdom operates differently: entry is reserved for those capable of trusting, forgiving, and rejoicing like children.
“Be like children” doesn’t mean being naive, but learning to find joy in simple things, to forgive easily, and to pursue truth with passion. Children always ask questions, always eager to learn. May we approach our discipleship with the same attitude, trusting the Lord in both small and significant matters.
May these words inspire us to return to the foundations of our relationship with God, reminiscent of the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai who declared, “Na’aseh v’nishma” – “We will do and we will hear.” This represents pure trust that everything God speaks is for our ultimate good.
Live with a heart full of trust and joy before the Heavenly Father. Only such hearts are capable of seeing and entering His Kingdom.