Matthew 18:1-5 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me…”
You may have seen a picture floating around on social media. It’s a picture of two little boys, one black and one white. They decided to get the same haircut so their teacher wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. I love the perspective of children! They see beyond the natural. There are totally accepting.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Mark 10:13-16 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with His disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.
I stepped outside one night to let the dog out and there were fireflies everywhere. I was so delighted that all I could say was, “Oh, Abba!”
I was childlike in my delight. In contrast, we’re not to be childish. I was reading some of my old journals a while back. I was disgusted because they were all: You said, give it, I want it now and I want it my way. I said, “Father, that’s yucky.” He very graciously said, “It’s where you were at the time.” He’s a kind Father.
John 1:12-13 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Romans 8:16 For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
1 John 3:1 See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him.
1 John 4:13-14 And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.
Now, as He lives in us, we are to show others His love and to help others. Our actions should point others to Jesus as He is the Father revealed. We’re to love with our actions. We all want to be like Dad.
Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.
1 John 3:18-20 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything.
I know I’m His and He takes care of me and guides me. A heart at rest is confident before the Father.
Psalm 131 Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD-now and always.
Psalm 130:5 I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word.
We count on our parents and trust they’ll take care of us. Father took care of His Son through Joseph, the disciples, a Pharisee (Simon; Luke 7:36-50), a little boy (Mark 6:30-37 and John 6:7-15), and the woman at the well (John 4:4-7) among others.
The Father’s not a raging meany. The King of Kings had no home, no bed, the clothes on His back and a group of disciples that would scatter when He needed them, but He knew His Father was taking care of Him.
Something my husband does for our daughter when she’s anxious or upset, is have her sit with him and he holds her and prays for peace.
When you fall or are scared, don’t run and hide…lift your arms for Abba to pick you up (worship) and tell Him, “I can’t see from this position, Lord. How do You see it?”
He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you and He means it!
A Dad says, “Come on! Jump into my arms!” We totally trust him with childlike faith so we wildly fling ourselves into his arms. How much more shall we trust our Holy Father and with our hearts at rest, seek Him, and rely on Him totally, as His own dear children. Amen and so be it.
