Jesus commended a childlike attitude because children rarely pretend to be what they are not; they simply are what they truly are. Adults, by contrast, often manage their personalities to appear acceptable to their environment. This makes it difficult to gauge their genuine level of understanding, and more critically, adults commonly resent being treated as children. Even those known to be uneducated in a particular area will feel offended if that ignorance is acknowledged. Yet the strength of knowledge lies precisely in admitting ignorance and being willing to learn. It is impossible to reach the understanding of someone who lacks knowledge yet pretends to be fully informed.
Among adults, diplomacy—something absent among children—becomes necessary if one is ever to reach their intellectual understanding. Some may refuse to listen at all after discovering that a presenter’s educational credentials are lower than their own. The number of adults who possess a humble attitude and a genuine willingness to learn is strikingly small. This is why Jesus displayed particular agitation toward those who offend such humble ones (Matthew 18:1–6). Pride is the most prominent sin of the world that Jesus sought to crush, and yet rarely can anyone succeed in telling another person that they are proud.
Human strength, in the kingdom perspective, is the opposite of what it has always been assumed to be. When Jesus indicated that the first shall be last, He likely viewed this with the same principle in mind. When someone is promoted to a higher rank, they generally carry an impetus of respect and reverence. The trappings of human nature lie in being admired, envied, or worshipped by other human beings. It is commonly assumed that the older a person becomes, the wiser they will be. But that assumption does not agree with what is observable on the ground. The older one becomes, the more foolish they often prove to be.
The Zimbabwean government is led by elderly people assumed to deserve the younger generation’s respect. Their unmistakable blunders are in the public domain. The entire country has been dragged into the mud, with grim conditions remaining unresolved and deferred to an unsuspecting next generation. The degradation of humanity appears impossible to confront under those circumstances. While hope could rest in the younger generation, culture demands that they follow in the footsteps of the elderly, unaware that those footsteps lead to a gloomy destination.
Unless there is a concerted effort to reverse these cultural norms, the future remains bleak. Yesterday’s adults continue to contaminate the younger generation with fantasies of failure dressed up as success. Nothing seems able to advance the immutable reality that youths hold the key to a better future. Children can be communicated with easily, without the interference of adults. When education is properly evaluated, the high rate of failure can be traced to instructors who love domineering. An instructor who constantly seeks to display superiority over students produces failures. But an instructor who highlights the strengths of each student can bring out the best, proving that their capacity to reason is undiluted.
A domineering instructor is suppressive and should not be allowed in any classroom. A good instructor is a good listener, seeking to identify the level of understanding applicable to each pupil. Although young and not yet exposed to many experiences, greater potential exists in young learners. Students should be allowed to be themselves in their different talents, rather than be compared with others. Instructors need to be constantly reminded that God did not create dumb personalities. The degradation among children in schools needs addressing according to their gradual level of understanding. The heavenly standard, as taught by Jesus, cannot be assimilated among stubborn societies.
Nothing in Jesus’ teachings could be considered too difficult, for their overall theme was humility. Why humility appeals only to a minority when God intends to save the majority remains a mystery, but pride appears to be the real stumbling block to salvation. The only difficulty lay in the hardheartedness of those listening. Even the disciples were not different from the people of this world, as their inquiry reveals a preoccupation with hierarchy—the very thing pride sustains. Jesus highlighted the most crucial datum before His ascension.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 18:1–4 NIV).
This is the most critical datum for those aspiring to be in God’s Kingdom. Unfortunately, it cannot be sold to those embedded with false information that elevates adults over children. The viewpoint changes when children are granted the most dignified honour in society. The workable honour that can be accorded children requires educational transformation. Instead of advancing the narrative that adults are wiser, educators must highlight the potential value in children. Educators thus become facilitators, not superiors.
Currently, the only thing that has exposed the foolishness of elderly people is information technology. Whether adults like it or not, information technology appears to have jettisoned their supremacy. Most of them feel embarrassed when talking about their past. It could not have been an advantage to be born in those olden days; life cannot have been as difficult as it was during those darker times. Nevertheless, as long as adults are allowed to maintain dominance, it remains highly impossible for conditions to reverse unreservedly.
Sanity can easily be brought to any nation as long as children are not treated as sub-humans. Sanity is assured when we refuse to accommodate the psychosis associated with primitive viewpoints that allow educators to domineer over young people. The only obstacle blocking understanding, as Jesus insinuated, is the idea that one already knows everything. A good learner opens up to information without the prejudicial assumption of knowing the unknown. Willingness to learn, driven by humility, is the only key.
The attitude of the Pharisees stemmed from their failure to appreciate Jesus’ teachings, blinded by their assumption of being knowledgeable. Their attitude mirrors what prevails in our current situation in Zimbabwe. The majority of those considered good people fit well with the Pharisaic attitude that permeated the environment. Ordinary people held the Pharisees in high regard, just as ordinary people today have high respect for those considered good in religious circles. Jesus constantly warned His disciples to be wary of what He identified as the leaven of the Pharisees—their prideful influence.
“Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:6–12 NIV).
Not many people then could understand what Jesus was talking about, and it is possible that most people today still do not get it. What was the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees that Jesus was referring to? The Scriptures in their scrolls were perfect. The challenge lay in their method of teaching. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, the common feature was His confrontation with the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. Nothing shows that Jesus opposed the Scriptures; He opposed the misinterpretation of Scriptures—misinterpretations born of authoritarianism and sustained by prideful achievements in law-keeping.
Catholicism mirrored the Pharisaic methodology, although it purported to advance Christianity. Popular as Catholicism became, a dominant question against its teachings lingers: Were its adherents baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Jesus provided the model of how that baptism ought to be carried out. He submitted to being baptized by John the Baptist simply to fulfil the requirement projected in Scripture. John attempted to object, but Jesus insisted that the Scriptures had to be fulfilled (Matthew 3:13–17). Leaven puffs up, just as a person who holds some information assumes they know is puffed up. This is exactly what Jesus was referring to, regarding the Pharisaic behaviours.
There is no need to be puffed up when privileged to disseminate information that others do not have. All humans were created in God’s image, deserving to always be accorded that consideration. Throughout His parabolic teachings, Jesus answered questions according to the level of understanding of the questioners. He avoided the idea of domineering—telling people what to do rather than helping them appreciate the meaning of the Scriptures. On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus:
“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this, and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:25–37 NIV).
In reply, Jesus gave the illustrative parable of the Good Samaritan, which appealed to common reasoning rather than advancing something new and complicated. The law expert may have had the answer, but he lacked understanding of the practicability of the Law. When properly analyzed, God’s Law is premised on common sense rather than anything esoteric. Jesus represents the ideal personality created in God’s image. He used the parable of the Good Samaritan to distinguish that ideal person. A truly cultured person would not have trouble behaving like the Good Samaritan.
The landmark question is why a priest and a Levite passed by, leaving an injured person in such a sorry state. The simple answer is that the two were not themselves. They lived their lives according to how they wished to be perceived by others. They sought to be viewed as purer than the sinners of this world. A typical example can be found in the toxic politics of present-day Zimbabwe. Many religious personalities would neither dare say nor do anything for fear of being muddled in politics. They consider protecting their integrity and personal character more important than going out to do what is right according to Jesus’ teachings.
As long as one does things based on how other people will perceive them, that person is not authentic; they are a fake personality. This underlines the demarcation between young children and adults. In their prime years, children live without pretending to be what they are not. They may do things that are not likeable to ordinary people, but they project the reality of their personalities. Children may not even be conscious of whether God exists; their nature is simply to project their true personality. Jesus’ instruction is that unless adults behave similarly to how children behave, they cannot attain God’s Kingdom.
Surprisingly, the adults Jesus addressed were once children, and the children He referred to would one day grow into adults. Children cannot remain children because they come to assume that the behaviour of adults describes maturity. They aim to adjust their lifestyle to behave like the influential adults around them. They suspend their childhood free-thinking in order to gain approval from society. To many, the most important aspect of life is behaving in a way that conforms to their environment. The world often seems shaped by people living out the expectations of others rather than pursuing authentic lives. Individuals frequently prioritize what is fashionable over what they believe is the right thing to do.
By insisting that adults must become like little children, Jesus highlights the issue of inauthentic personalities. Each person originates from God, and the confusion of their surroundings throws them off balance. A person’s true character is defined by who they were created to be—something children naturally display, since they lack concern for how they are perceived. Jesus calls for a humble attitude, emphasizing that true salvation cannot be achieved through mimicking the misguided behaviours of those around us. Any standard adopted from the environment without Jesus’ approval is inherently fake. This sentiment is echoed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Romans 12:1–3 ESV).
No one can renew their mind if they are unwilling to let go of their previous knowledge. It is a matter of common sense that one cannot receive something new while still holding tightly to old beliefs. A true Christian cannot be identified by adherence to the standards of this world. Jesus expects those seeking salvation to reject everything they have learned from the world before they can truly accept His teachings. A childlike attitude promotes humility and a willingness to learn, irrespective of age or accumulated knowledge.
The mistake many make is conforming to their environment rather than embracing their true identity. The question of personal identity remains unresolved until death. However, by taking Jesus’ instructions to heart, one can attract God’s mercy. God desires to connect with our true selves, created in His image. It is at this point that the Holy Spirit becomes available to an individual. Essentially, who a person was created to be is unrelated to how others perceive them. Like a toddler, once one recognizes themselves as God’s child, they no longer worry about the opinions of others. Only then can they connect with their Creator.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions that have led to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, written in a simple, conversational tone.
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