“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
The disciples asked who would be greatest in the kingdom, not from hunger for holiness but for name and rank. They had dreamed of a temporal kingdom with external pomp and power, fastened upon Christ's words of glory while forgetting His sufferings. Many love to hear of privileges and crown while overlooking the yoke and cross.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 18:1-35
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (b) An idiom taken from the Hebrews which is equivalent to "repent".
You must be converted, turned from your gross notion of a temporal kingdom filled with wealth and honor and rank. Become like little children: humble, not envious, rid of all contentious scrambling for pre-eminence. Without this turning, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven at all.
AI summary