Oh To Be A Child Again

While reading through the Bible again this year, I saw something for the first time. That happens when you crack the Book again and again!

I discovered two accounts of Jesus’ ministry that were back-to-back. I had never seen them related. I am talking about Jesus with the children and then the young, rich ruler. Both are found in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. For reference purposes, they are found in Matt. 19:13-30, Mark 10:13-31, and Luke 18:15-30).

Let’s look at the comparison.

The first story is about the children who were brought to Jesus for a blessing. His disciples rebuked the parents for bothering Jesus. Then Jesus rebuked His disciples and told them to allow the children to come to Him for a blessing. Jesus told them, “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Mark 10:15 NKJV).

The second story is immediately after the first. It is the narrative of the young, rich ruler who came to Jesus. He wanted to know how he can gain eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. He asked which ones. Jesus named six of the ten referring to our relationship with each other. The four not mentioned concern our relationship with God. So, the young man said he had kept the six Jesus named. Jesus then told him if wanted to be perfect, to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and then follow Him. Since he was very rich, he went away sorrowfully.

Maybe Jesus was making a juxtaposition between the heart of a child and the heart of a grownup. We must receive the kingdom of God as a little child regardless of our age.

It is easy for a child to believe. He wants to believe. If you lie to him and he believes it—shame on you, not him! No one blames a child for being gullible.

Children live in the moment. They are not concerned about having food tomorrow, they only think about food when they are hungry. They look to others for their needs and protection. I pity the fools who stomp on children’s vulnerability. It would be better for the culprits if they were tied to concrete blocks and dropped in the ocean. (My translation, read Jesus’ words in Luke 17:2).

Adults on the other hand are quite different. If someone lies to us and we believe it, then folks snicker at us for being gullible. After a few years of being snickered at, we stop believing in anything. We draw up into our fortresses and stockpile things of value to save us from the cruel world. We fail to savor our PB & J sandwich today, because we are worried there may not be enough tomorrow. We either pride ourselves in being self-sufficient or worry if we feel insecure. We look in the mirror and groan about our aging features rather than being thankful for the ability to see.

Read the words of Jesus again, “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Mark 10:15 NKJV).

Pray this prayer with me?
“Oh God, please scrape off the aged scab on my heart so I can feel compassion. Remove my grownup cataracts from my eyes that I can see again. Stop the brain-bleed of the world into my mind. Wash my hands and feet of the putrid dust of this world.

“Let my ears sting with pain when I hear the clamor of war and violence. Please allow me to cry than to curse. Help me to look away when the world is gawking. Open my heart to love again and to trust. Give me a childlike faith to believe all You have said. Let my lips have the giggle of a child.

“Let me soar with the angels instead of running with the demons. Give me the privilege to worship You in the embrace of Your arms while gazing into Your eyes. Fill me with the wonder of Your glory and the hope of Your children.

“Help me to trust You for my next breath, my next piece of bread, my protection, and my eternal destination. In the Name of Jesus. Amen!”

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt