How to Come to Jesus Like a Child
We have new neighbors. A single mom and her young daughter moved in next door. The little girl is about four years old. She’s big enough to do many things on her own, but not old enough to be outside by herself.
So Many Questions
One morning I was sitting by our firepit enjoying my coffee with Jesus. They couldn’t see me, but I could hear their conversation. The little girl was full of questions as her mom watered their plants. The mom gave brief answers, and the little girl prattled along from one topic to another.
If you are around children much, you can easily imagine how the conversation flowed. Children have so many questions. They don’t know everything, and they know that’s acceptable. However, they are curious and they do wonder about so much. So, they ask questions with the belief that others gladly want to explain things to them.
Growing Up
Somewhere along life’s journey, we lose that freedom. We gain knowledge and then we begin to assume we should know more than we do. Or we perceive others to be impatient with our questions. We start to believe curiosity and wonder are not attractive traits. In addition, we no longer believe others gladly want to explain things to us.
As we mature, we seem to think being childlike is embarrassing and unacceptable. We are familiar with verses like 1 Corinthians 13:11 where Paul talks about putting away childish matters and childish ways. As well as Hebrews 5:12 where the author states, “you’re like children still needing milk…”
Jesus and Children
Yet Jesus references children in Matthew 19:14 and says, “… the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus obviously places value on children. In addition, there is a childlike attitude that we as mature adults are to maintain.
The Disciples and Children
As I read Matthew 19:13-14 in various versions, my inner English teacher appeared. I noticed a comparison in the two verses between the disciples and the children.
“Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Leave the little children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.’”
Matthew 19:13-14, CSB
The Disciples
I first concluded that the disciples seemed tense. They rebuked the parents for bringing the children to Jesus. Then I decided they functioned as a hinderance. The disciples were attempting to control the situation and the people involved.
Scripture doesn’t tell us why the disciples behaved as they did. In the previous verses in Matthew, Jesus had a conversation with religious leaders about divorce. At one point the disciples concluded it might be best not to get married at all!
Perhaps they felt the children were not as significant as the important dialogue that had been going on. It could be they just didn’t’ know what to do with children, so best to keep them at bay. Or maybe they perceived Jesus to be tired and were trying to extricate Him from the crowd.
The Children
In contrast, the children didn’t try to control the circumstance. Instead, they behaved with obedience and submission to their parents who brought them to Jesus.
Jesus would have been a popular figure to see. I can imagine the children were excited to meet the man everyone was talking about and receive a blessing from Him. I imagine the children were living into the moment before them with all the wonder of my next-door neighbor.
Children and The Kingdom
Jesus draws a clear picture for the disciples. He tells them, “…the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” Jesus doesn’t expound upon His comment. He doesn’t provide three to five characteristics of children that everyone should seek to emulate.
Perhaps Jesus was hoping they would connect his statement to the truth from His Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:3 we learn the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are aware they need what only Jesus can give them. The children came to receive a blessing from Jesus specifically.
Plus, Jesus had recently used a child as an example to the disciples when they inquired about who is the greatest in the Kingdom. Matthew 18:2-4 says, “[Jesus] called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.’”
The Contrast
The disciples were exerting control, hindering people, judging who was worthy, and trying to figure out life within the rules. In contrast, the children were obedient to authority, they wanted Jesus’ blessing, they were aware they needed others, and they were present in the moment.
Scripture clearly tells us we are to mature in our faith. However, we must also maintain childlike qualities. We must trust absolutely, hold onto a level of innocence, recognize our dependency, and live with obedience and wonder.
Childlike Faith in Prayer
I find great comfort knowing I can come to Jesus in prayer and ask question after question after question and He doesn’t tire of me, don’t you? However, we must not seek to control, we must seek what Jesus wants. We must not be a hindrance to others, or to Christ. In addition, we must believe Christ will answer our questions in the way that is best for us. Our Lord is absolutely trustworthy
As we come to Christ in prayer, we must come dependent on Him with a willing attitude of obedience. We can come confident He has blessings to bestow on us. The truth is we can come like my little next-door neighbor with her mom, full of questions, and ideas, and wonder. Because we know, Jesus welcomes all the children into His Kingdom. Even kids like us.
Children’s Shadows Photo by Dibakar Roy on Unsplash
