Articles
“Learning from Children”
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
1 Corinthians 14:20
Jesus often directed the attention of his disciples to children to teach important lessons about God’s kingdom. To be sure, there are ways Christians should not be like children (see above) but they are often positive role models for us grown-ups. Let’s look at three times Jesus refers us to children as our teachers.
Their dependence (Lk. 18:15-17) — People were bringing their babies to Jesus to be blessed but his disciples rebuked them, as if the Lord didn’t have time for such things. In response, Jesus said, “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.” Entrance into the kingdom is determined by how we “receive” it. Children are completely dependent on receiving parental care. Other mammals can walk within seconds of being born. But we can’t do anything for ourselves because infants are underdeveloped, immature and incomplete. We must “receive” everything from our parents.
Disciples of Jesus, therefore, must exhibit that same childlike dependence on God to enter the kingdom. Only when we see ourselves as immature, underdeveloped and in need of God’s care can we depend on him for everything and trust him implicitly. Of course, underneath this teaching is the truth that our God is totally dependable and trustworthy. Immediately after this text, Jesus is met by a man who seemed to have these childlike characteristics but proved he was not willing to fully depend on God (Lk. 18:18-30).
Their humility (Mt. 18:1-20) — On this occasion, the disciples were asking Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus replied by calling a child to him and saying, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Greatness is determined by having a correct view of oneself and others. Humility is shown in how we treat others. Jesus went on to teach that we are to regard each other with the same care and protection as we would our “little ones.” We would never want to cause a little one to sin (6-9) or lose a little one and not go after him (10-14) or begrudge a little one mercy (15-20). While we need a childlike dependence on God we also need a childlike humility toward others.
Their enthusiasm (Mt. 21:14-16) — In Jesus’ final week leading up to his crucifixion, he entered Jerusalem and began healing people in the temple precinct. The children were crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” But the chief priests and scribes were indignant and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” The children were crying out for the Messiah to save them and they saw Jesus as that Messianic Savior. Jesus responded to the indignation of the ‘grown-ups' by linking the children’s praise to the words of David in Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise.” In Psalm 8, David contrasted the frightful enemies of God with “babies and infants” who, though weak and powerless, are established in strength because they praise God. These children calling out enthusiastic praises to Jesus were exhibiting a certain spiritual strength over against the indignation of the chief priests and scribes. Jesus approves of the exuberant praise he receives from children. Do we worship him with that same fervent, joyful praise? Children tend to pray from the heart and sing without the self-consciousness characterized by so many adults.
We must become like children if we are to enter the kingdom. We are blessed with so many kids at Dulles, but are we learning from them? Imitate their dependence, their humility and their enthusiasm.
