We sat in the front corner booth by the windows for lunch. My daughter and I sandwiched her two kids between us, alternating bites with juggling babies. Our view of the breezeway and the front parking always provides a great distraction. People walking by, driving out, or coming in often smile or wave to the children. Some even stop to chat. Amelia finished two servings of chicken barbecue before noticing anyone but Ezra turned toward every movement, anticipating a response.
One line draws me to Jesus more than all the rest.
āJesus said, āLet the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.āā
āāMatthewā¬ ā19ā¬:ā14ā¬ āNIVā¬ā¬
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.19.14.NIV
Jesus was trending in and around Jerusalem. People flocked to meet Him but it never went to His head. The same cannot always be said of His followers. Jesus taught all who came, not deferring to the religious elite who were accustomed to being treated preferentially. He wasnāt seeking publicity or fame so his teaching never aimed for approval. His words aimed for the very hearts He created. He came to reintroduce Himself to a wandering world, to remind us that in Him, we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)
He showed that He valued those the world discounted, placing His hands on the heads of children and blessing them after chiding His disciples for trying to shoo them. He touched lepers though He could have healed with a word. He tended to be most harsh on those who were full of themselves. His focus was entirely other, not self.
āThough he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to (to be eagerly grasped or asserted, or to use to his own advantage).ā
āāPhilippiansā¬ ā2ā¬:ā6ā¬ āNLTā¬ā¬
https://bible.com/bible/116/php.2.6.NLT
āOne day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them.
But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
But Jesus said, āLet the children come to me.
Donāt stop them!
For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.ā
And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.ā
āāMatthewā¬ ā19ā¬:ā13ā¬-ā15ā¬ āNLTā¬ā¬
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.19.13-15.NLT
Imagine being a parent of one of the little ones brought to see Jesus. Many came for miles to get a glimpse of Jesus. These parents came to hear what Jesus had to say and they brought their children to Jesus, wanting His blessing. I see Jesus, eyes on the children the entire time, speaking directly to His disciples. If you have children or grandchildren or anyoneās children in your sphere of influence, Jesus speaks the same words to us today. It is my privilege and divine purpose to bring my children to Jesus, and He has blessed me with many more than the three I bore in different seasons.
In this encounter, I picture my four grandchildren, who each react very differently to unfamiliar people in public. Thomas makes eye contact and speaks first. Timothy is waving as soon as he catches sight of someone new. Amelia, usually talkative, becomes shy and looks away, often hiding behind me or her momma. Ezra at one is often oblivious but sometimes waves or begins babbling at someone moving past us.
As Jesus extended His hand toward the head of each child, I see His smile. His touch would have perfectly matched the demeanor of the child, playfully tousling the hair of those with a mischievous grin and tentatively brushing the hair back from the forehead of one with downcast eyes. I watch the wordless conversation that passes in their eyes. I know from many holy moments with my Lord, much can be communicated in the blink of an eye. The longer I know Him, the more His Word becomes the voice in my head and the passionate force of my own heart driving my actions, giving me strength to persist, discernment when in doubt, and courage to speak or keep quiet.
I wonder. What became of those children, those blessed ones? When the Spirit came at Pentecost, did they, believing, feel the touch of His hand on their heads once again as the Spirit descended? Did they believe and so speak? All who believed and received the Spirit from God lived under the same commission as you and I. As you go into the world, go in My authority preaching the gospel.
āWe have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, āFirst I believed, then I spoke in faith.ā
So we also first believe then speak in faith.
We do this because we are convinced that he who raised Jesus will raise us up with him, and together we will all be brought into his presence.
Yes, all things work for your enrichment so that more of Godās marvelous grace will spread to more and more people, resulting in an even greater increase of praise to God, bringing him even more glory!
So no wonder we donāt give up.
For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day.
We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity.
We see our difficulties as the substance that produces for us an eternal, weighty glory far beyond all comparison, because we donāt focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal.ā
āā2 Corinthiansā¬ ā4ā¬:ā13ā¬-ā18ā¬ āTPTā¬ā¬
https://bible.com/bible/1849/2co.4.13-18.TPT
āWe do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.
Now he is seated in the place of honor beside Godās throne.ā
āāHebrewsā¬ ā12ā¬:ā2ā¬ āNLTā¬ā¬
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.2.NLT
When we know Him, we abide in Him and He in us. (John 15:4) We acknowledge Him as Way, Truth and Life. (John 14:6) We love Him by obeying His commands, and we become His disciples by giving up our own way, taking up our cross daily and following Him. (Luke 9:23)
āAnd this is the way to have eternal lifeāto know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.ā
āāJohnā¬ ā17ā¬:ā3ā¬ āNLTā¬ā¬
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.17.3.NLT
āJesus
Oh Jesus
Do you know him today?
Do not turn him away
Jesus
Oh Jesus
Without him, how lost I would be.
Without him, I would be dying
Without him, I’d be enslaved
Without him, life would be hopeless
But with Jesus, thank God I’m savedā
(This one is for my daddy)
A Fitting Reply 