Matthew 19:13-15 “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.”
There was something about Jesus that children were drawn to and vice versa. While the disciples thought the “kingdom business” was too important for little lives, Jesus welcomed them and even likened them to kingdom citizens. What is it about children that makes them model citizens of the kingdom?
Faith – Kids believe everything and anything. It’s easy to convince a child because they haven’t experienced enough of life yet to tell them that something cannot be done. A few verse after the one above Jesus has an encounter with the rich young ruler. After his interaction and subsequent withdrawal from Jesus, the disciples begin inquiring about who can be saved. Jesus made this statement in verse 26, “…with God all things are possible.” Kids believe it…and so do kingdom people.
Obedience – Young children for the most part are obedient. The older the child becomes the more challenging they become. Obedience is a huge part of kingdom living.
Love – Children are some of the most loving human beings on the planet. They have not been hardened by sin yet. They haven’t become prejudiced by adult biases.
May we become like little children. In so doing we will also become kingdom material.