We should do all we can to help children (and others) to find the path to Yeshua. Let us not be one through which stumbling blocks are set before others to trip them up. Let us also not leave stumbling blocks in our own path. The LORD takes this very seriously and so should we.
Rank in the Kingdom
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4“Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5“And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Stumbling Blocks
7“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!
8“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. 9“If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.
10“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11[“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.]
A stumbling block in this case refers to anything which gets in the way of someone coming into right relationship with the LORD. If the LORD is so emphatic in speaking about the stumbling blocks as to make the point that we are better off without some key body parts if they would be our stumbling blocks, then this is very important. Let those who have ears hear.
Pray with me:
Father, please show me any way in which I am creating a stumbling block for others in their faith to follow you fully. Please show me also anything in my life which is a stumbling block for me. Lead me to remove these obstacles and pursue you more fully. Let me not cling to the wrong things that hurt me in my relationship with you. Instead, help me to put you first, above all other things… not just for my benefit but also so I can be a help and not an obstacle for others.
Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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