Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
2 Kings 6:16-17 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Psalms 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Luke 16:22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.
Acts 12:11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
Acts 12:23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?
1 Kings 22:19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left.
Whatever difficulties we may connect to the whole range of questions connected with the ministry of angels, they lie outside, for the most part, our full understanding. There is no question that Jesus knew and had more than just an understanding in the reality of angels and their presence before God and in the midst of man for the direct work of God. A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones. Should we refuse to give attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? God’s mind and eye is always on His little ones, we do well to treat them with love and respect. God protects the humble.
It is sometimes easy to look down upon or limit our respect, time, or attention to those who we consider “little children” in things of God. Jesus is saying that we should not shun, mock, or regard them as unworthy of our time and attention. When God gives understanding and wisdom in grace, mercy, love, truth, holiness, eternity….. He does so that we will mirror the light of this understanding to both the greatest and smallest of people. Pride, in a person’s heart originating from what has been freely given as a gift from God, has no benefit. It is only out of humility and humbleness that we consider ourselves a servant of Jesus Christ to all He allows our paths to cross. The disciples asked Jesus, “who is the greatest among us?” Jesus made it clear on more than one occasion “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
We do well to live so that in all we think, say, and do, it honors and glorifies Jesus Christ. A pure heart in this desire will be guided through life without regard for status (theirs or others) but rather a beacon of hope and a light of eternal heaven.
