A defining characteristic of those who belong to God’s kingdom is that they have hearts that are humble, dependent and trusting, like children who have no power or achievements to rely on but depend completely on the One who cares for them.
Matthew 18 shows what childlikeness looks like in the life of the church.
It is one of Jesus’ clearest teachings on how His people should live together, before He even speaks about reaching the world. How we treat one another shows whether we truly follow Him. This is a chapter many Christians recognise. We know the images well. A child standing among the disciples. A millstone around the neck. Strong words about sin. A lost sheep. These verses are often quoted on their own.
The chapter is meant to be read as one whole teaching. When we do that, a clear theme emerges. Jesus is teaching His followers how to live together. He is teaching them how to be the church. The heart of the chapter is simple but challenging: believers are to be childlike.
Life Together in the Kingdom
In this chapter, Jesus turns from calling disciples to teaching them how to live together. This matters. Jesus speaks about the church only twice in the Gospels. First, He says He will build it (Matthew 16). Then, here, He teaches how it is to function.
How we live together comes before how we reach the world. Our shared life gives weight to our message.
Entering the Kingdom Like Children (vs.1-4)
The disciples ask, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
It is not an innocent question. The disciples argued about this often. Status. Rank. Visibility. Who mattered most. Who would sit closest to power. Even after Peter’s confession. Even after Jesus spoke plainly of His cross. Ambition still simmered. Jesus answers by placing a child among them. A child has no status, no achievements and no power. A child depends on others for everything. Jesus says this is how the kingdom is entered. Becoming a Christian is not self-improvement. It is giving up self-reliance and receiving grace.
The kingdom belongs to the needy, not the impressive.
Treating One Another Like Children (v.5)
Jesus then says that welcoming one such child is the same as welcoming Him. The child represents believers, especially those who seem small or weak.
How we treat one another is how we treat Christ. He so closely identifies with His people that we cannot separate love for Him from love for them.
Protecting and Valuing One Another (vs.6-10)
Jesus warns strongly against causing another believer to stumble. Our words, actions and examples matter. There is no neutral ground. We either help one another towards Christ or away from Him.
The warning is severe. Deliberately so. A millstone. Drowning. Judgment. To lead another believer into sin is no small thing. He also warns against despising others. This often looks like indifference rather than cruelty. In God’s kingdom, no one is unimportant. Heaven itself is concerned for the “little ones”.
Caring for One Another (vs.10-14)
The chapter ends with a picture of a shepherd searching for one lost sheep. When it is found, there is joy.
This shows the Father’s heart. God does not write off His children. He delights in restoring those who wander.
The Heart of Church Life
Matthew 18 teaches us that:
- We enter the kingdom like children: humble and dependent.
- We treat one another with care.
- We protect one another from harm.
- We value every believer.
- We pursue those who stray.
Being the church comes before doing the work of the church.
In the end, how we treat one another is how we treat Christ. This is the heart of God.