Jesus had a special connection with children. He always had time for kids. When He fed the five thousand, He found a little boy and used his lunch to feed the multitude. Jesus traveled to Jairus’ house and called his little girl back from the dead. Jesus didn’t get irritated with children. He was more irritated when people tried to keep the children away. When the disciples shooed them away, Jesus said:
“Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
Jesus would use the example of a child to show what faith should look like:
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, ‘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.’” (Matthew 18:1-4).
While the disciples were arguing about preeminence in the kingdom, Jesus called a child and put him in their midst to demonstrate true greatness. It is summed up in one word: humility. Children are humble and have a great sense of their need for help. They know when their little legs get tired from walking you will carry them. They know that you will be the one to put them in the car seat and get them out. They know you will feed them when they are hungry. They know that you will get their juice out of the fridge. They know you will help them pull their arms through their shirt. They know you will tuck them in and pray with them at night. They know you will hug and kiss them when they skin their knee. They know you will care for them. They are dependent. They understand that and they are fine with it. For adults, it takes effort to be humble and accept our dependency upon Jesus. Wouldn’t it be great if we would understand our need for help? Wouldn’t it be great if we would allow Jesus to feed us when our souls are hungry? Wouldn’t it be great if we would allow Jesus to pick us up when we are tired? Wouldn’t it be great if we depended on Jesus to provide us with our daily needs? Wouldn’t it be great if we would allow Jesus to comfort us when we fall? Wouldn’t it be great if we would allow Jesus to guide our steps? Wouldn’t it be great if we would humble ourselves like a little child?
— Charlestown Road Church of Christ
