Turn and Be Like a Child

And said ¨I tell you verily, if you do not turn and become like the children you shall not get into the Reign of Heaven.¨ Matthew 18:3 (Byington)

Probably the greatest hurdle Jesus has ever had to confront is our stubborn hearts.  We like to think of the greatest act of love as being His dying for us on the cross.  But surly this was easier for Him to accomplish out of the incredible depth of love and compassion He has for us.  It was a mighty feat indeed and no one would like to take one ounce of credit from Him for that.

However the amazing thing to consider is just how much He has had to put up with in dealing with us as a race.  We are stubborn in our ways and we constantly turn to ourselves.  We have done it through all the long generations and we are masters at it today.

In Matthew 17 verse 17 we read about how Jesus couldn´t suppress this sentiment any longer and lamented openly of the patience He has had to bear for us.  Now in Matthew 18 we find ourselves along with the Disciples by bothering Him and bringing petty and worldly issues into His presence.

The Disciples brought up an issue that may concern us as we struggle to adjust ourselves with other people and make ourselves special somehow.  This time Jesus tenderly attempts to help us finally make the connection that the whole issue is not about us anyway.

God is infinitely immense, and is forever working on a galactic scale far above our petty preoccupations.  We have value to Him only as we realize His authority and love and in turn bow to seek the correct stat of heart to please Him, yet so few of us seem to care enough to do that.  How often do we really turn to Him as a small child and let all things rest on Him.

If you have had children of your own it may be easier for you to understand this truth about the reign of the heavens.  A small child does not stop to weigh all the facts.  As children grow older they begin to get caught up in who is first, who is best and who is right.  But when they are small and these things haven´t gotten into their heads, it is enough for them to be close to their parent.  They trust their parent without having to know the answers to these things.

You and I can boast about our faith, but what kind of faith do we have is we have a load of facts and proof to back us up.  Jesus tells us that He is looking for people who trust Him in the simplest form of the word.  He wants people who sense Someone great right there next to them and huddle in closer because that is where they feel right and safe.

When you and I try to make religion anything else than this closeness, we place ourselves outside of the chances of sharing any of Jesus´ realm with Him. ¨You will not get into the Reign of Heaven.¨ He states it in our verse.

Dear Lord, our hearts have long wandered after our low ways.  We have stubbornly tried to find ways of making Your kingdom to be about us.  Thank you for including us in Your plans for eternity and thank You for Your infinite patience with us.  Please send us the Holy Spirit to guide us into the right attitude.  Show us how to turn from our ways and become like the simple and humble little children.  Let us take pleasure and comfort that You are in control and that You are near and leave all the rest in Your more than capable hands.

Amen