They look upon the face of the Father

By John Pearring

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100221.cfm
Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." (Matt 18:10)

What a unique warning that Jesus presents. Don't find children despicable because each one has a guardian angel. I especially like the added image. Guardian angels "always" look upon the face of God.

As an aside, many scriptural commentators object to the notion that guardian angels are assigned to children. In fact, I extend the idea of guardian angels throughout our lifetime. I haven't any angelic assignment records to point to, but there's plenty of documentation in favor of ministering angels. And, thankfully, this specific verse. Nothing in scripture disputes the cosmic spiritual delightfulness of the angelic realm. I've picked the side of taking Jesus seriously. 

I looked for analogous advice, a similar proverb or saying with such a spiritual twist as, "their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." There's not much out there.

Don't poke a hornet's nest because …. Hmm. That's not even close to the effects of despising a child. 

Do not make fun of poor people. If not for the grace of God, that could be you. Well, that's vaguely similar. Still not close.

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Uh … no.

I ran out of gas pretty quickly, finding advice or guidance that matched Jesus' words. So, I made some scriptural comparisons. Surprisingly, Jesus' "show-and-tell" for the disciples — bringing a child into his teaching forum — is a common approach for him. 

Jesus healed folks in front of crowds with dramatic effect. Most of the time, though, the person to be healed is brought by others. Jesus admonished Peter several times in front of the disciples. That's a dramatic show-and-tell, revealing to us that Jesus clearly has no problem making brutal analogies. But when and where did Jesus associate the humility of a person by pointing out their angel's constant connection to God? Nowhere.

The context of Jesus' caution to not "despise one of these little ones" follows the question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." The answer is given straight away.

"Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me." (Matt 18:4-5)

Holding up a child as an example of humility and a proxy for loving Jesus is loosely represented in scriptures. Nothing is so direct as this angelic reference in Matthew. Another critical issue comes up, though, that ties into the constancy of angels ministering to children. Despising a child will lead a child to sin. A sinful child becomes disconnected from their angel's close relationship. We dismantle the link of God to a child when we, as their earthly caregivers, introduce hate. We exchange hate for love, damaging their vulnerable innocence.

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come! (Matt 18:6-7)

A vehement warning, certainly, but not uncommon in scripture. I found many times where God ties our sin to causing sin for others. 

'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matt 7:22-23)

"I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord … for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin." (1 Kings 21:20-22)

So, there is a common theme in Jesus' use of placing a child in the disciples' midst and calling out the danger of causing others to sin. Still, though, the reference to the holy innocence of children by way of their Guardian Angels has unique merit. At its simplest, there is God's yearning for our adoration. 

"…, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost." (Matt 18:14)

Behind the scenes of these scriptures is the reality that evil abounds everywhere, and children are both susceptible and guilty. Children, though, will apologize (eventually) when caught. They're more humble than adults, certainly. Our adult response to children's sins should not be to pluck out their eyes or beat them severely. Instead, adults must treat children with mercy and love because that's how we mimic God.

"Such things must come…," Jesus says. Things that cause sin will happen. How many of us are guilty of this? All of us, probably. Are we doomed? No. Through our repentance, our humble response (as children of God), we can be redeemed.

Jesus acknowledges sin's presence. He, his Father, and the Holy Spirit allow evil. We could presume to say that sin is inevitable, but that's too simplistic. Because of God's gift of freedom to creation, he not only reckons the existence of sin as evil but admits that he allows it. 

A child will hide from us when we catch them in sin, and we search them out to reassure them of our love. God finds us where we hide, too, because he desires our return. Following the last parable in Matthew's Chapter 18, Jesus makes clear that pity and mercy should be our reaction to sin.

Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you? (Matt 18:33)

The example Jesus uses with children isn't just about their innocence. He places the child among them because children's sins are easily identifiable. They are terrible at deceit in their early days. Only the most heinous of parents would condemn a young child for sins. Every child tests barriers and argues with limits placed upon them. They cry out in anger, curse those put in charge of them, and steal openly. 

When should we ever condemn someone for sin? How different, really, is any hidden sin from the open sins of a child? 

We do not outgrow sin. We simply become more skilled at it. Better that we return to the humbleness of a child, knowing angels minister to us. Our response to God as his child can reverse all the "woe to you" stuff. As believers, we're grafted into the Father as sons and daughters. We're not despised. We're not alone.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)