The Gospel of Luke
This devotional is written by Nat Elliott- Green.
Luke 18-15-17
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Reflection
This passage is such a well known part of the gospel that we may think we have gotten everything out of it that we want. But reading this again it becomes so clear to me that God seeks out those who others think are unworthy. Here it is the disciples who think the children aren't worthy of being in the presence of Jesus. But once again, Jesus shows that His love is for anyone who asks for it and comes to Him. This important truth is shown so clearly here and it's something that we should all remind ourselves of.
But these three verses offer us more, God shows us something of how He wants us to be with Him: "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it". When I read this I think about what children are like and a few things hit me: Children, or at least my nephew, don't just blindly accept something they are told by their parents, they question it. But a child who has a caring parent knows they will be safe, even if they don't understand everything. I think this is how God wants us to be with Him, not unquestioning, but trusting and willing to go with Him even though we have questions.
The other thing is that children go to their parents with the expectation that they will deliver. How much would our relationship with God change if every time we prayed we were fully expectant that God would answer us? Our relationship with God would be so much more exciting, enriched and full. I can imagine us responding to answered prayer with the kind of joyful laughter of a little child. Who wouldn't want more of that?
But these three verses offer us more, God shows us something of how He wants us to be with Him: "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it". When I read this I think about what children are like and a few things hit me: Children, or at least my nephew, don't just blindly accept something they are told by their parents, they question it. But a child who has a caring parent knows they will be safe, even if they don't understand everything. I think this is how God wants us to be with Him, not unquestioning, but trusting and willing to go with Him even though we have questions.
The other thing is that children go to their parents with the expectation that they will deliver. How much would our relationship with God change if every time we prayed we were fully expectant that God would answer us? Our relationship with God would be so much more exciting, enriched and full. I can imagine us responding to answered prayer with the kind of joyful laughter of a little child. Who wouldn't want more of that?
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