“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” – Luke 18:15-17
It was a normal thing for the Jews to bring little children to the rabbis to receive a blessing, so it is kind of strange that the disciples would try to stop them. Maybe they thought Jesus was tired and should rest, or maybe they decided Jesus was not all that interested in kids. Boy, were they wrong!
Jesus loves children, and He wants us to be like them in many ways. He wants us to be childlike… but not childish. An unspoiled child illustrates humility, faith, and dependence. A little child is simple, helpless, unaffected, unpretentious, unambitious. A child has a sense of wonder that makes life exciting. They are ever learning and growing. Children are not sinless or naturally unselfish, and they display their fallen nature from the earliest age. But they are nevertheless naive and unassuming.
Children are trusting. The purest trust is that of a child who blindly trusts their parent without question. This is the level of trust and kind of faith we should have in God our Father. A trust that says while we might not know all of the details and the reasons for His actions and plans, we trust His wisdom and heart, and we know that He knows what is best for us.
The Bible says the only way to enter God’s kingdom is to become like a child and be born again. Receiving God’s kingdom like a child means accepting it simply and wholeheartedly so as to turn from sin, receiving Jesus as Savior, relying on Him as Lord, obeying Him as Master, and following Him as your Heavenly Father. Like the old hymn says, “Wherever He leads I’ll go!”
Father, Help us today to be as the little children. Happy and excited to be with You and unashamed of our love and devotion to You. Forgive us when we doubt and worry and get caught up in what we think we know. Help us to fully trust and fully obey that Your will might be done in our lives and Your Glory might be shown through us to this dying world…on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus Name. Amen!
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. ~ Matthew 18:10
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. ~ Matthew 19:13-15
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. ~ Mark 10:13-16
“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.” ~ Matthew 18:3
a lamp and a light 