In Matthew 19:16-24, a rich man came up to Jesus and asked him, “Good Teacher, what good thing must I do that I may have eternal life?” Jesus tells him only God is good (in other words, He is God), and that he must keep the commandments. The young man said he has kept them since his youth. Then He told him to sell all he has and give to the poor and to come and follow Him. He invited him into the full-time ministry. But the man became sad and walked away because he couldn’t bear to part with his possessions. Then Jesus turns to his disciples and says, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” In this example, we see that the “kingdom of heaven” or the “kingdom of God” is something we can enter and it is where we find communion and fellowship with Jesus and find eternal life. If it is hard for a rich man to enter, then we see it is hard for some people to enter the kingdom, even though it is available to all. So how do we prepare to enter the kingdom of God and not be like this rich young ruler?
In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus gives us a great clue on how we can enter the kingdom of heaven. In this passage, people were bringing children to Jesus so that he might bless and touch them. The disciples rebuked them initially, but Jesus “greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” Indeed, Jesus loves the little children so much that He warned in Mark 9:42, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” One of these “little ones *who believes in Me*” could be referring not only to small children but also to a new disciple. We see the same relationship in Matthew 10:42 when Jesus says, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones *who is My disciple*, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose his reward.” Not that a child cannot be His disciple, but I think “little one” could also be a new, unlearned disciple, training in the ways of the Lord, just as He calls us to enter the kingdom of God as a little child.
If children are so valuable to the Lord, so valuable that we must study them and learn their ways to even be able to enter the kingdom of God, what can we learn from them? How must we be? As I contemplated this, I thought back to my years nannying small children from age 3-7. While we can definitely agree children are not without fault and are indeed born into sin, they have many unique traits worth considering. First and foremost, they are innocent and pure, naïve to evil and the ways of the world. God’s first command to Adam and Eve in the garden was to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God doesn’t even want us to think of evil or learn about it. In Philippians 4:8 Paul exhorts, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Unless, children are exposed to abuse or evil in a bad home or culture, they are trusting in their parents and teachers, resting in their care—just as God wants us to trust Him simply and to rest in His care. Proverbs 3:3-5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Children are often meek and submissive, quiet and observant of the adults and “knowing their place.” When I work at Walmart, the kids that come through my line are often quietly watching the interaction I’m having with their mother. They might help load bags, but they rarely speak to me freely unless I confront them and ask them how they are doing or what their name is. When a child gets in trouble, you lean down and explain to them their wrong and guide them how they can do better next time. They look at you with apology and listen intently to your words, shaking their head to try better. In other words, they are meek, humble, and teachable—just as we are called to be in our posture of heart towards the Lord and His discipline of us. Children have yet to learn arrogance. In Romans 12:3, Paul tells us, “Do not esteem yourselves more highly than you ought,” and in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” Furthermore, Hebrews 12:6 reminds us that “the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.” So we must remember to receive the instruction of the Lord with humility, being teachable, and trusting He is acting out of love.
Anyone is likely familiar with the curiosity and joy of a child. They are so excited to learn and happy about life in all the simple ways. They ask and ask many questions and laugh and laugh about even the littlest things. Jesus wants us to be this eager to learn and grow and this joyful about the simple and pure beauty of life. In 1 Peter 2:2, Peter says, “Like a newborn infant, long for the pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” So we should long to learn the knowledge of God, the knowledge of good and not evil, whatever is excellent and praiseworthy so much that we ask lots of questions and take joy in how good He tastes. When I see young children and babies at Walmart, I am astounded by their goodness and I take joy in their beauty and simplicity, in their laughter. Their joy is contagious! It is in these moments, we can see God in the face of another, His child and the miracle of His creation.
Children are confident and secure. They have yet to learn comparison and insecurity. I saw this in the art classroom. The kindergarten students had no self-judgment—“I am bad at art” “I am not an artist.” They simply took on the challenge and did their own unique work and then took pleasure in it. Similarly, God wants us to realize we are each unique and wonderful as He has made us, irreplaceable in the world. He wants us to take humble pleasure in what He has made in us and to be confident in His purposes for us in the world. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” We can walk in this confidence as we face life’s challenges.
When children want something, they beg and are persistent and hopeful they may receive it, just as God wants us to persist in faith and prayer when we desire something. Children will plead with humility, “Pleeeease! Pretty pleeease!” looking with longing at their mom or dad. Just like the blind men we studied recently begged Jesus to be healed, we are encouraged to bring our pleas to God’s throne with hope and confidence that He loves us and will help us. Hebrews 4:16 states, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” I heard a testimony of a little boy who prayed to God for a little sister. When he found out his mom was pregnant with a girl, he wasn’t surprised but only joyful knowing fully that God heard him and answered his prayer. We too, must trust God fully with faith that He hears us and will take good care of us, just as this little child.
Children like to be helpful and serve. I remember when we were kids, my sister and I actually begged my mom to let us wash the dishes and help set the table. I see kids at Walmart beg their parents to let them scan items or fill the cart with groceries, to help. We too should be eager to love and serve. Children are loving. They will run up to you and throw their arms around your neck in excitement to see you, sometimes even when you may be a stranger (this happened to me at Walmart one day! What a treat that was!). They will tell you, unasked, “Mommy I love you,” just to show you their love. They will comfort another child who got hurt playing, saying, “It’s ok, you will be ok.” We see these things all the time and we can learn to be just as ready to show our love and comfort one another, just as ready to love our God in gratitude for His goodness. Children seek the praise of their parents. They long to please you and hear that you are proud of them. So too, should we be eager to please God and make Him proud.
Finally, children as simple, honest, and straightforward. They will definitely tell you exactly what they think about a matter or how they feel. They do not complicate with all kinds of rationalizations and confusion. They are to the point and have no guile. So, too, are we to be honest and forthcoming with God and with each other. We need to be earnest in our ways and live a simple life with God, keeping our priorities straight. Micah 6:8 says, “What, O man, has God required of you but to love kindness and mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with your God?” So too must we be simple and honest, doing God’s will—loving mercy, doing justice, and walking humbly through our lives with Him.
I’m sure there are probably other traits too that we can learn from watching kids, but these were just some I have learned in my limited exposure. I have not been blessed to be a parent, but I have been blessed to work with kids at some points. But aren’t we so lucky that kids are all around us, like open books revealing the Spirit of God to the world? Is it any wonder that they show us so much about how to enter the kingdom of God? Jesus shows us they do and this is a tremendous key for us if we too hope to enter His kingdom one day! So let us love and value children in gratitude for all they teach us. Let us thank God for showing us the way. Let us value the new disciples of the Lord as He showed us too and share the knowledge of God with them. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I hope you are encouraged today by the beautiful Word of God. God bless!