Charity Autry-A child of God

Scripture:

Matthew 19:13-15 13Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.  But the disciples rebuked them. 14Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. 

Mark 10:13-16 13People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them, 14When 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. 15Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed him. 

Luke 18:15-17 15People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked him. 16But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder the, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.”

 Reflection:

It is 2022. MOST of us would not rebuke a child going to Jesus. When Matthew, Mark, and Luke recorded this instance, children were as rebuked just like the tax collectors. They were not thought to be worthy of the “Master’s” time. Jesus of course hung out with all sorts of unworthy people. I recently heard in a sermon, “Children aren’t the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today.” When we study the passages above in depth, we learn Jesus is not only talking about children, but us, adults. We are the church of today and Jesus wants us to come to him with child-like faith.   

Did you ever teach Sunday School to young children? I remember during a teacher training class one year the leader said, “These children see you as Jesus”.  Let me tell you, those are big shoes to fill! Children came on Sundays and did not question my knowledge or the lack thereof. They saw someone who cared about them, talked to them on their level, and in their eyes, I was Jesus. Until they got into the third grade, they figured out I was not Jesus, and started asking some very tough questions. At which point, I somehow decided to quit teaching children and start teaching adults. Talk about the Holy Spirit taking over! 

Adults and third graders alike have lots of questions. Where the child is just trying to learn, the adult is questioning based on their experiences. Adults often feel they are too self-sufficient for God’s love. As adults, we tend to think we have all the answers and can control our situations. Whereas a child is dependent on the adult, they have very little control. It is natural for the child to willingly follow the adult.  So as skeptical adults who have a lifetime of experiences, how can we receive the kingdom of God like a little child? 

The Life Application Bible says, God requires a change of attitude: “adult self-sufficiency must recognize its need for the sovereign God; adult moral defensiveness must humble itself before the holy God; and adult skeptical toughness must soften before a loving God.” Children are naturally trusting and dependent. We are called to be trusting and dependent on our loving God.   We don’t have to let our experiences jade this relationship.   

A simple attitude adjustment could also be a part of the solution. Develop habits of praying, reading the Bible, and seeking God’s help in any problem. My Sunday School class is studying Atomic Habits by James Clear and using his teachings to enhance our Christian habits. James says one way to reprogram your brain is to make your habits a positive experience. Instead of saying we “have” to, say you “get” to. Thank God we “get” to pray, read the bible, and seek God’s help. Let’s take advantage of these habits and leave our skeptical attitude based on previous experiences at the door. During this Lenten season can you drop your baggage and come to God with child-like faith? 

Prayer:   

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”- Anna Bartlett Warner (1859)

Thank you God, amen.