Jesus called a child and stood him in the midst of the disciples. He said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” The disciples needed to change their thinking, or they’d lose the Kingdom.
The challenge and consequences belong to us too. How do we become like children? At birth, children are naked, hungry, and totally helpless. They learn to trust, obey, and depend on adults. The “child-like” humbly trust, obey, and depend on Jesus. They don’t seek or need power. Their Lord has it and uses it to help them.
Jesus spoke from experience as a humble son. See Philippians 2:5-8.
Jesus obeyed because we can’t. Sin trips us up, but obedience led Him to the cross where He paid for our sins. His humility gives Kingdom life to the childlike.