 |
| Share Agape for the week of August 18, 2003 |
| Like Little Children "People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10: 13-16 It's fascinating to me that Jesus said we must be like "little children" if we're to spend eternity with God. After all, when we wish to criticize or insult an adult, we often say: "You're acting like a child!" or "Stop behaving like a two-year old!" Yet Jesus says we need to be less "grown up" and more childlike, if we're going to follow him. But just what does this mean? The Bible tells us that parents were bringing their children to Jesus, so that he would touch them or bless them. Matthew and Mark's accounts of this event use the Greek word paidion, which means children of pre-school age. Luke's telling of the story uses brephos, which means babies. So we're talking about toddlers and infants, here. The disciples, perhaps thinking Jesus had better things to do than act as nursery maid, tried to shoo the children off. Jesus corrected them sternly, telling them to get their priorities straight and work on their attitude. No person, Jesus suggested, should be stopped from coming to him. No one should hinder even the little children, despite the fact that humans might not consider them worthy. Children, Jesus showed his disciples, deserve to be greatly valued. To understand this brief passage of the Bible more fully, I think we have to ask ourselves just what Jesus saw in these toddlers and infants. As I ponder what qualities are most prevalent in small children, several things come to mind. SINCERITY. One of the most endearing qualities in little children is their sincerity and earnestness. Little children don't compliment you unless they truly think you are pretty, funny, smart, or whatever. They say exactly what they think. They're also earnest in their beliefs, believing--against all odds--even in the so-called impossible. WONDER. Small children have a sense of wonder that many adults have long lost. They see the world with fresh eyes, and marvel at each and every one of God's creations. TRUSTFULNESS. Little kids are extremely trusting. They think almost everyone else is as sincere and straightforward as they are. And when they trust someone, they put their full trust in them, not withholding anything. HUMBLENESS. In the passage that comes just before the section on Jesus and the children, the Pharisees are discussed. Little children are the exact opposite of Pharisees; small children don't have inflated ideas about themselves. OBEDIENCE. Most small children are very obedient if they have loving parents. Therefore, I think Jesus is telling us to be completely sincere, full of wonder, trusting, humble, and obedient. Do you trust God as much as a little baby trusts its mother? Do you believe God's word earnestly and completely, just as earnestly and completely as a small child believes in the Christmas story? Do you feel true wonder at God's love? Do you look at the world and think, "What an awesome God we have! He created this intricate, detailed, delicate butterfly! He can truly do anything!" Do you trust God completely? Do you give everything over to him? Do you trust him with your money, your love life, you children, your hopes, your dreams�Do you withhold anything from the Lord--any piece of yourself, no matter how small? Do you have inflated ideas about yourself, or do you admit your faults, your weakness, your shortcomings? MORE ~~~> |
 |
 |
 |