In Mark it says that if you do not receive the Kingdom like a child, then you cannot enter it. I have heard Christians explain this the same way for years (“they don’t have to understand it, they just believe”). But I am realizing that the people that started that cliche probably were not mothers or fathers or nannies!!! So…what do you think it means to receive the Kingdom like a child? (I never thought being a nanny could change my theology! But I am glad, thanks Eoin and Cian!)
*”…whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” So how does a child receive the Kingdom of God?
First thought: let’s notice that Jesus uses the word RECEIVE. How do four year olds receive gifts? I tell you one thing they WON’T do! They won’t try to earn it. They most certainly won’t try and pay for it. They have nothing of value to give anyways. But they most certainly WILL give you big hugs and kisses for it, and they will be excited to spend time exploring it. They will have joy! I tell you what…when I bring presents for Eoin and Cian and spend time with them helping them figure out those presents…they act a lot better! Much better than when I stick them in front of a movie and do my own thing. Here Jesus is offering the gift of the Kingdom to the children, and spending countless hours with them; explaining it’s mysteries. Even taking them into His arms! So…to recap, kids accept it without having to feel worthy, and live in joy and obedience because of the gift…instead of living in obedience to earn the gift. Boom.
Second thought: This thought just changed for me; In our Christian circles we so often talk about having “faith like a child.” The idea is that kids have “simple faith and trust,” which is true, yes…but the way we talk about it makes it seem like they have no brains. They don’t have to understand anything, they just believe. I beg to differ, and I believe that any honest person that has had a hand in raising kids would too. I love to talk to Eoin and Cian about Jesus and Heaven. But they don’t just let me talk and believe. Oh BILLY the questions they come up with! They dig, they pry, they WANT TO KNOW! They want to know how it works. They want to know why Jesus doesn’t talk to them like normal people, why they can’t see Him, how Heaven works, where it is. Cian Jude aske me “Can you show me Jesus?” They’ve asked me why He had to die, and if He feels sad when they are naughty. They SEEK. They KNOCK. They yearn for understanding. It is NOT just hearing “Jesus died for you and you can go to Heaven if you believe” and so they believe and are good for a few years until they suddenly grow up and become skeptics. No. They dig. But there is this: when I answer their questions, begging Holy Spirit for words to answer their deep questions that often stump me…they trust me. And they trust their parents. They have submitted themselves to the authorities in their lives that teach them about Jesus. They don’t get offended and leave home because they disagree with something. I told them that Jesus plays with them and loves to talk to them. And so I hear Eoin asking Jesus what kind of juice he is drinking, and if He really is stronger that Batman. They decide if there really is this man that loves them so much and is everywhere…they want to experience Him, be with Him, and understand as much as they can. So…they seek and dig for understanding, and are not afraid of looking silly for what they don’t already know…they ask without fear and when they get the answer…they put action to it. It affects their behavior. Then they find another question, and it all repeats!!! That’s not the feeling I usually get when this Scripture is discussed! But praise God it’s okay that our beliefs are ever changing and growing. This thought may just change my life…
