PROFILES —-
THE CHILDREN
LIKE A CHILD
Children are simple in their beliefs, and Jesus loves their innocent, pure trust. But in “the real world,” as people grow older, no one aspires to be like a child in any way. We are supposed to mature and move past the ways of kids, aren’t we? If someone says that you’re acting like a child, it’s usually a put-down, not a compliment. Yet Jesus honored the children (and their parents) who came in simple faith to receive His blessings and prayers (Matthew 19). His disciples were scolding them, but Jesus welcomed them in and taught His followers the value of being like children. Jesus wants us to come to Him! But His Kingdom is only received by those who are like children: humbly coming in simple faith to His feet with their every need. Do you approach God like a child?
THINK & PRAY
NOTHING TO BRING TO THE TABLE
How do you approach God? As weird as it may sound, it can actually be extremely hard for us to come to God with a childlike attitude. Maybe we don’t come to Him because we feel we are too messed up to have a ticket to His table. Or maybe we are trying to earn His respect and love by our own efforts, so instead of coming with open, receptive hands like children, we ask what we must do to gain His love and be part of His family. But God shows us in Matthew 19:13-15 that, just like small, vulnerable children, we bring nothing to the table and can’t earn His love or His Kingdom. Our world teaches, “You better earn your place!” But Jesus tells us the total opposite. In this simple, little story, we find a big, eternal truth: God gives His Kingdom to those who lower themselves and admit they are children in need, not to those who pridefully try to earn His favor. So let the children (not the self-sufficient adults) come to Him!