we are like children.
OK, what do you think about these words from Matthew 18:1-14 ?
“Change and become like little children”
“When you welcome a child in Christ you welcome Him”
“If you cause a child who believes to stumble – you’re as good as dead”
“Their angels always have God’s attention.”
“The Father does not want even one child to be lost to Him.”
or these from Matthew 19:13-14 ~ Mark 10:13-16 ~ Luke 18:15-17?
“The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children.”
“I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
and Mark 9:33-37 or Luke 9:46-48?
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.”
I wonder how many of us who have read what Jesus said in these passages about children found them unsettling?
For me they sound pretty tough. There are no wishy-washy suggestions here. In the past I’ve just grazed over these passages, perhaps not taking them to heart. But that’s silly…I love what the Word of God says, so of course I would take them to heart. Maybe I haven’t tried to make sense of them for my life. I decided to look at these precious words about Jesus and children and seek to find what they mean to me today, right now in my life.
It’s a lot easier to remember a pretty picture of a gentle Jesus surrounded by sweet children, laughing and loving, and just getting the idea that Jesus loves and defends children. But He’s saying so much more (as always)!
Don’t get me wrong, Jesus LOVED children and they LOVED him while He was here on our earth. Here’s the amazing part:
Children still LOVE Jesus even though He’s not physically present!!!
So, I have taken a new look at these words, and it’s made me wonder what He wants to get across to the ADULTS in our world. So, me being me, I went on a hunt and found lots and lots of commentary on these passages. I’ll share those in my next post. Meanwhile, I wonder what you think about these passages? What do these words from Matthew, and Mark, and Luke say to you?
