Luke 18: 15-17 ESV
“Now they were bringing infants to Him that [Jesus] might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
I love this passage. This fleeting moment that highlights Jesus’ love for us so intentionally.
While we are called “children of God”, Jesus goes a step further and says to receive the kingdom of God like a child.
But what does that even mean?
For the most part, Kids think in “I want”, all the time.
This reminds me of the first acting class I took in college...
My beginning acting professor honed in on the art of throwing a temper tantrum during the first two weeks of class. She demanded it, her intention was for us, the students, to find our primal motive as human beings: want and need.
Just take a moment to envision fifteenish nineteen to twenty-year-olds screaming, crying, kicking, pounding fists and feet on the ground....it's exactly how you'd imagine it to be.
Children can’t signify the difference between needs and wants.
Everything is a need! Everything is high stakes!
In regards to Jesus, what if we sought Him with that same intensity?
While I don’t think tantrums are the way to go in strengthening my walk with the Lord, running to God with that same fire of needing Him, desiring Him and His presence over anything else.
In my most recent contract, I had the opportunity to play Peppermint Patty in a regional production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Patty is spunky, adventurous, silly, and ultimately one of the FUNNEST roles I’ve had the chance to play.
There was limitless freedom in my intentions, leading only by “I want”s because that’s what kids do!
They’re silly; they have a deep need to sing, to dance, to fail and run and play and explore.
And that’s the same kind of freedom we have in Christ.
Going back to the passage, Jesus states that the kingdom of God belongs to His children. It’s an inheritance, it’s a gift!
When children receive gifts, they receive them wholeheartedly.
Kids don’t turn away gifts because they don’t feel deserving or try to make themselves worthy enough to receive them.
But we do that! Adults do that!
Salvation in Christ is a gift, freely given, with no expectations.
Jesus invites us all—no favoritism, no registration, and no deserving required.
God isn’t a puzzle to be solved, He is a Father to be sought after.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and all these will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
We are fully taken care of by our Father in Heaven. He gives us the freedom to be goofy, to bug out, and to be our simplest, most God-glorifying selves.
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