Matthew 18:1 says, At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  The disciples still did not understand the true nature of the kingdom of Christ.  They were basically asking which of them would have the highest position of power in the kingdom of Christ.  Matthew Henry says that they had missed the fact of the suffering that Christ would endure, and instead had focused on His glory to come.  We cannot go to Christ demanding to be great in His kingdom, but can only go to Him by declaring our own unwothiness, and humbling ourselves before the cross.  In verse two and three, Jesus answers them saying, And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,  Then continuing in verse three, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  The disciples were concerned with positions of power, and Jesus called a little child to Himself.  Then, He said that unless the disciples be converted and become as little children, they would not enter God's kingdom, much less rule in it.  We can only come to Jesus with a childlike faith, then rely on Him to teach us and help us grow in faith.  We can never come to Jesus simply for some position of power, either in this world or the one to come.  Salvation is not about material riches or power, but is simply about restoration to a right relationship with God, through the sacrifice of Christ.  Verse four states, Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus told the disciples that instead of worrying about positions of power that they must humble themselves as a little child if they wanted to be great in the kingdom of God.  A little child had no power or wisdom to offer to God, but could only come to Jesus by faith.  That is the same way we must.  Verse five declares, And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.  We are to receive those who come to Jesus by faith, especially the children.  I cannot say at what age a child comes to understand the need to come to Jesus for salvation, but I can say that no matter how young or old we may be, we must come to Jesus as a child.  We place our lives in His hands as simple servants of God, not as someone demanding a position of power.  Verse six states, But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  This is a very strict warning against offending those who come to Jesus as little children.  I believe that sometimes we accept that someone, especially a child, comes to a saving understanding of salvation and put their faith in Him, but we do not expect them to have any real ability to serve God.  Since we all come to Jesus in childlike faith, then no matter our earthly age, we are all expected to grow in our relationship to Christ, and we should never hinder anyone from doing so.  Jesus said the penalty for doing so would be severe.  Verse seven states, Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  Jesus says that offences to the gospel must come in the world, but pronounces woe on those who are responsible for the offences.  Though nothing may happen to those who work against or simply fail to accept the gospel, they will know the woe that Jesus spoke of when He returns.  Verse eight says, wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  Jesus once more tells us that if our hands of feet offend us, or come between God and us, it is better to cut them off if necessary to remain faithful to God.  In verse eight Jesus continues, And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.  Jesus again tells us the same thing applies to the eyes.  If what we see continually leads us to sin, then we are better off blind and faithful.  Verse ten says, Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.  We cannot simply dismiss those who come to Jesus as being saved without also leading them to grow in their faith.  Verse eleven declares, For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.  Jesus came to save those who are lost, and that means anyone who puts their faith in Him as Savior and Lord, no matter what their earthly circumstances may be.  Once saved, we are all equal in the sight of God.