What I know right now is that there are no five year olds reading this post. That’s not what five year olds do. They don’t read blogs…they stare in wonder at frogs, but they don’t read blogs. They watch garbage trucks drive by and imagine themselves commanding that awesome piece of machinery and they stand transfixed as a butterfly flutters past them. Never mind that people don’t usually think of garbage collection as a career goal, and most people are way too busy to watch a butterfly….kids don’t care. Sometimes, the huge rift between a child’s priorities and an adult’s can cause an adult to minimize the importance of a child’s contribution to community…but is that the right frame of mind to have?
Our passage in Luke 18:15-17 is the classic account of Jesus making time for children. It’s an account that appears in the three synoptic gospels, and it’s repetition does seem to carry a bit of weight. Kids are important. It really does say so. Obviously, Jesus is using this event to make his “bigger picture” point in v17…but his actions tell us something as well, don’t they?
What do you see as the lessons of this passage? It’s not very long…but it’s message is deep. How do we “bring” the children to Jesus? What does child-like faith look like to you? Hope to see you Sunday as we discuss this wonderful story!
WONDERWHAT 
When I was a child, I remember having a an enormous amount of faith in people. I trusted most people. I trusted my parents. When someone said something, I usually believed what they said. It was simpler to just believe in people. My interpretation of this scripture is that in order to fully and truly be one with God, we need to have this kind of child-like faith. As we get older, we get more cynical and start to trust less and less, we start seeing people fail, and not live up to their word and this leads to us not fully trusting in God.
I think daylestidman’s statements-“I trusted my parents” gets to the heart of the matter. When we were children, we believed what they said, but why?
Because they loved us and provided for us, would do anything for us, gave us security, safety, etc. As we became involved with other people in all types of relationships, our trust has been shattered. We have been dumped as friends and lovers. Where could be go after all that. Back home to the 1st real safe place we ever knew. As I look back on my relationship as a child with my parent, I don’t remember promises of money, big house, fast car, etc. Only that they loved me unconditionally and I would always be welcome back home. Boy have we discounted or under valued that promise. In fact, that is the same promise my children have from me.
Remember the story I told about my father giving gifts to poor people at christmas. I realize now, that somehow I knew that if he would do that for strangers, how much more would he do for me, his son.
I think I want my Mommy
I love this scripture. It really changed my life several years ago. God showed me that we think way too highly of ourselves as we become older and move further and further away from childhood. We begin to think of ourselves as responsible and that we’re the ones in control. Not to say to neglect our responsibilities, but simply to keep in mind that we are children of the Most High God, and to stay naive enough to believe it. Jesus says in Matthew 18 unless we become like little children we will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven. That has so many levels it’s mind boggling.
When we’re children we naively believe everything our dad says. If he says we can pick up a car we have no need to see him do it. We just take it on faith at his word and will fight with our friends on the schoolyard until the bell rings because there is no other reality.
Well, we actually do serve a Father that can do anything and is the creator of everything. We don’t let science or theory or other philosophies waiver us at all. Our God is an awesome God and He reigns above all. That’s a hill I’m willing to die on. I think we should all be a little more naive and just trust Dad when he says something. I pray that with each passing day we grow more into children and less into adults. Let’s just love Daddy.
Absolute honesty. That’s what I think of when I think about kids. My wife is a teacher. She’ll be the first to tell you, kids really do say the darndest things. If they think you’re old or fat or they don’t like your shoes or whatever, they will let you know. Maybe that’s one of the ideas here. If there is an agenda with kids it’s typically not hidden. If they’re thirsty you know. If they need a nap, you know. If they want some more, you know. Along with the stuff everyone else has said about thinking about God as a loving parent (great thoughts everyone!), maybe Jesus is reinforcing the idea that not only are we to love and trust like kids, but we need to be as honest as kids. How intimate is that?
I say I love my wife (which I do). But how many times have I been really honest about something I want or need? How often have I let her know when I’m afraid or unsure or don’t have an answer to whatever thing life has just chunked as us? Probably not very often. Usually, I do what I “think” I should — I play the husband. I wonder how much better our relationship would be if I was “kid-honest”? The same goes for my relationship with God.
Instead of trying to act a certain way or pray a certain or pretend that I’m something that I’m not, Jesus is showing us what he desires. Maybe he knows what we all know but won’t say, no matter how old we are – we never really grow up. And that’s the way it should be.
I love everyone’s comments and look forward to tomorrow! If we could just trust God like we trusted our father’s (well those who were not awful and abusive fathers) when we were children, all would be well. I pray we are all growing to that place of total trust in Him!! It was easier when were young and unable to take matters into our own hands, now we have to determine to let go of the reigns and give them to Him.