“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:1-2
It is indeed a serious thing to offend – that is, to cause to sin and fall from faith in Christ Jesus – one who believes in Jesus, and especially so when it is a little child. Jesus says it would be better for him to have a millstone hanged about his neck and be cast into the sea than that a person should offend a little one who trusts in Him (cf. Matthew 18:6).
What shall we say to these words? Jesus holds up little children and their faith as a model for us all. He said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). Little children who, when they hear the Word of God, believe and trust that Jesus forgives them, loves them, accepts them, are a model for the rest of us who are so often troubled by doubts and fears.
When the people brought infants to Jesus to touch and bless them, Jesus’ disciples would have turned the people away, but Jesus said, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein” (Luke 18:15ff.).
But woe to those who would keep little children and babes from the Lord Jesus! Woe to those who would deny to them the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5)! Woe to those who do not teach their children the Word of God! Woe to those who by their own poor example and sinfulness turn their children away from the Lord Jesus who loves little children and shed His blood on the cross to redeem them! Woe to those who by rejecting Biblical truth and teaching the lie of evolution turn their children or other children from their one and only Savior! Yes, “offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
And, if we have caused a believer to stumble, if we have caused a child or new believer to doubt God’s Word or turn from a confident faith in Christ their Savior, if we have kept a child from Jesus by denying baptism or neglecting to teach God’s Word or take them to services at God’s house, what can we do? The answer is Jesus! Turn to Him for pardon and forgiveness. He died for the sins of all and rose again in victory. He offers to you and to me forgiveness and life everlasting. Trust in Him!
O Jesus, my dear Savior who died and rose again that we might live, forgive me for any offenses I may have caused to other believers and move me to do all in my power to encourage my fellow believers to continue to trust in You alone for full forgiveness and life everlasting. Amen.
[Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible]