Luke 18:15-17 - Be Childlike

A short, well known passage but one with a very significant message.

The understandable enthusiasm of the people in bringing their very young children to Jesus was met with the disapproval of the disciples. Why? We might guess they thought Jesus was too busy, too tired or perhaps too important to engage with children or simply had better things to do. Sadly we see examples today in our society where it seems that some individuals or groups are perceived as being more significant than others. This passage and indeed others in scripture affirm that this is not how Jesus sees people.

Be sure, we are all important and valued in Christ’s eyes from the youngest to the oldest. The Kingdom is open to all who come to Jesus at whatever age and stage one encounters Him.

Jesus did not just tolerate or simply patronise the young children, He encouraged and warmly welcomed them. Jesus then goes on to make a remarkable and challenging statement to the effect that anyone who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will be unable to enter it. Our relationship with Jesus is to have a childlike ethos at its core as we ‘children’, engage with Him. And what might that imply? Perhaps take a moment to reflect upon this and gather your own thoughts. Ponder how good it is to be a child of God..an awesome omnipotent Heavenly Father.

To me, a childlike manner is indicative of an engrained sense of dependency, security, total trust and the wonderful feeling of being loved and cared for: a simple yet strong faith in our Heavenly Father, a fully trusting childlike faith.

And what is this childlike faith founded upon? We can glean so much from scripture to inform and encourage us, but Easter points us especially to God’s amazing love, mercy and grace demonstrated at Calvary, coupled with His amazing power demonstrated in Christ’s Resurrection. Have a blessed and happy ‘childlike ‘ Easter!