This name is important. Jesus didn't come to earth as a man. Instead, He grew up here on earth! He's gone through everything we've gone through. Can you think of the Son of God with the flu? Or having to be taken care of? We're going to see why God let His Only Son come to earth as a child.
"But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." - Matthew 19:14
Do you ever think about what Christ went through? Not just on Calvary, but through His entire life? When He came to earth, He didn't just experience the good stuff - playing outside with the neighbors and eating ice cream and playing the Wii. He also had to get sick and feel tired and hungry and anxious. He came to earth to be one of us - but through everything He went through, He didn't sin. Ever. Not once.
Why does Jesus say that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are child-like? Jesus wants our faith to be child-like. When you tell a child that something is the truth, no matter what it is, they'll believe you. Simply because they're children. They aren't skeptical. They don't need any reasons (until a certain age). Jesus wants us to be like that. Our lives get so needlessly complicated. Do you remember being a kid? Our lives revolved around playing outside, getting Es on our homework (not As, Es!) and eating candy all the time. Nobody cared about what other kids were wearing or what side of town they lived on. Nobody cared about who had the most friends or complained about having to spend time with their family. Everyone was content getting up every morning with their clothes picked out for them, their breakfast and lunch made and going to school.
That didn't have to change, you know. Our lives could still be that simple - not caring that someone else doesn't wear American Eagle's newest $70 jeans or Aeropostale's new 2010 line. (Don't get me wrong! I love me some brand name...but I try not to judge someone based on their clothes.) We can still love everyone the same way. We don't have to be racist or sexist or feminist or facist or anything-ist! We can just love Jesus. And by loving Jesus, He enables us to love others. Sometimes, I think, our youthgroup gets sidetracked by how many people we have. Or how many visitors there are. Or why there are only two people getting baptized, rather than 100. Isn't the point that someone else was added to God's Kingdom? I admit that I get that way too. Jesus doesn't want us to focus on how many people come to church. He wants us to love everyone, whether they come to church with us or reject our invitation.
Jesus was a child once. He was the sweetest, most gentle, most caring child in the world. He got sick, discouraged, unhappy and frustrated just like all of us did. If He hadn't gone through all of those things (and more), He wouldn't have been able to save us. He wants us to be like Him. We should praise Him in every circumstance - not just the ones that are convenient.
Jesus wants us to be child-like because it would make our lives simpler. He doesn't say that He wants us to be naive. Nor does He say that He wants us to be uneducated. Of course He wants us to know what's going on in the world. Of course He wants us to be able to defend our faith - but arguing with a non-believer about every little doctrine is NOT going to win them to Him. Sometimes, what people need to see is real, sincere FAITH.
3 comments:
It's amazing how the God of the universe humbled Himself to become a child. It not only shows His love for us, but it shows that He truly understands anything that we have to go through. All it takes is child-like faith. :) Thanks for the awesome blog.
oh, this is wonderful! It reminds me of the Casting Crowns song "Every Man," one of my favorites, where it says "If only I had someone to follow, who knows the pain and feels the weight, the uncertainty of my tomorrow, the guilt and pain of yesterday." This is GOD making a bridge to us to show us that He cares to be near us, if we'll let Him wash us clean. Awesome.
rina. you supafly. I love you. dad.
Post a Comment