Are You A Child At Heart?
Good Morning Friends,
Children are kingdom people. They can be aggravating, they can drive an adult nuts but they are the future and they need to be provided access to the resources to fulfill their roles in it. As Christians, we need to reach out to them whether or not they reach out to us. To the surprise of His disciples Jesus honors the little children. He knows the consequences of inaction so Jesus loves the little children. He realizes that we are not to live in isolation. He realizes that we can become isolate and preoccupied with our own spiritual journey so that we do not get involved in the isolation of others. God is asking that we place a burden on our hearts for children as we would for a fellow believer. To make ourselves aware of their needs and to pray for them. Maybe we are more like them than we would like to admit. Are You A Child At Heart?
Scripture: People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16 (NRSV)
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:1-6 (NRSV)
Message: The road to greatness in the eyes of the world is not the same as greatness in the eyes of God. In today’s scripture we consider the paradox of greatness. And it is here we turn our attention to children. The word children appears 482 times in the Bible and most references do not refer to persons under the age of 12 but to individuals who are in a relationship with God. Spiritual maturity is described as childlikeness. Here in order to grow up we need to become younger. So as we look out the window of opportunity on the journey of life we need to learn that we can easily have the wrong perspective. Here we must keep learning by asking why…we must have a childlike inquisitiveness to help prepare ourselves to meet the challenges of skeptics and yet still be humble. We must gain the perspective in what it means to be a Christian. Then as we read today’s scripture we reminded that Jesus did not go out looking for children. Perhaps parents brought them to Him to bless. We read that the disciples did not like the interruptions of the children and scolded the parents for bringing them to Jesus. But Jesus saw an opportunity. He saw value in the children for in their unique existence they point us to grace…the undeserved favor of God poured out on the cross for sinners. In children Jesus saw, and we should too see, the characteristics that should mark the people of the Kingdom as we encounter grace in our own lives. Here we discover that children can be great role models. Here we discover that if we want to grow up spiritually we need to imitate God in His interaction with children. We are to become child-like but not childish. Jesus wants to bless them as he blesses us. Let us help remove the hindrances to God’s will.
Pray that we be more humble. Pray we be more honest. Pray we be more trusting. Pray we be more forgiving. Pray we have the power to wonder, the power to forgive and forget. Pray we have the power of innocence, simplicity, frankness and obedience. Pray we learn from children. Pray we ask the right questions. Pray we are there for others even to the end of the age. Pray we show reverence and awe as we bless the children. Pray we speak to them with words of love and intention. Pray we meet their need for genuine acceptance through the power of meaningful and appropriate touch. Pray we greet the day as a child on Christmas morning. Pray that God have mercy on us in our stubborn ways and give us the grace to humble ourselves before Him.
Pray we learn from children what it means to be humble. Pray we learn from children about honesty. Pray we learn from our children about trusting and accepting God’s authority…about having confidence that their innocence need not be stripped away by the world. Pray we do not neglect God’s children. Pray we each practice a ministry of grace….blessing the little children by introducing them to the life, faith, hope and peace of Jesus. Pray we are not jealous because God is generous.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 