As A Child
Jesus said,” I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he/she is born again” ( John 3:3 ). “ I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” ( Matthew 18:3 ). OK … Here’s the million dollar question … Was kids back then any different than kids today ? Cuz yall…i know some kids…i WAS one way back when, and they ain’t the innocent little angels Jesus is makin em out t’ be in these two instances ! They’re selfish … they’re lazy … they’re messy … they scream and holler when everything ain’t perfect … they talk back and they’re needy…all the time ! So why is Jesus so hung up on our being like a little kid, so as to inherit His kingdom ? He must know something we don’t … see something we’ve missed. Let’s look a little deeper; shall we ? Think back … you’ve either had a child, a niece or nephew, a grandchild, or been in close proximity to one at one time or another. Shoot…maybe you’ve just watched a movie or tv show with one in it. Anyway, recall their entry into this world … naked and covered in slime, completely vulnerable, innocent as all get-out, hungry and dependent. Fast-forward a few weeks … you look into those tiny little eyes and wonder what they’re seeing…what they’re thinking … their tiny fingers clutch one of your fingers as if they really believe “you” are their lifeline. They have no way of getting their own nourishment, so they’re dependent on “you”. They’ll waller in their own filth, if “you” don’t clean em up. Yeah…they cry a lot…but it’s their way of communicating their needs…and “you” are who they’re trusting to meet those needs. See why Jesus says we must be born again … must change and become like a little child ? He knows, unless we “start over”, we ain’t never gonna be dependent, humble, submissive, trusting, or innocent. If a little child knows to cry out loud for their every need…because they know they’re gonna receive whatever that “need” is… then why won’t we ? When we reach and grab hold of our Father’s finger, He feels like the most important person in our lives … like He’s “somebody” … needed . And OH the love that He must have for us ! It’s immeasurable ! Just imagine … being loved by the One who created you ! And calling “you”, His son/daughter ! ( John 1:12, 3:1 )