Coming as Child

Luke 18:15-17

I’m a granddad and it is such a joy to observe children, last night we had dinner with my brother and the family next door has a brand new baby boy who is coming home in the near future to three bothers, the youngest is 2 and the oldest is 6.  The granddad was out watching the boys and my brother walked over to talk with him and to pick on the boys, or to have them pick on him.  The youngest is the bully of the family and his brother watched him very closely when he picked up a plastic sword and began to approach them with it.  It was enjoyable to see how well the boys played together and the different personalities of the three.

But we live in a time where many seem to not find any joy in being around children, and as I read this not that much has changed since Jesus walked on planet earth in the flesh.  Picking up the story in the 15^th verse of chapter 18, “Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.”  I’m sure they were concerned that these kids would be a bother to Jesus, and for often what is a source of vexations to us we believe it is to all others.  Now Jesus used this as a teaching moment, listen to what He said to 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.”

Each year the Pew Research group gives a report on how the Christian Church is doing and in 2015 it was reported that its number or percentage dropped from 78% down to 71%, and I ask the question where did the 7% go?  Could it be that many have thought they would come to God and to Jesus on their conditions, and not as a child, and though they used the title of Christian, have they tried entering into Christ other than as a child? 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice