Through A Childs Eyes

Then Jesus called a little child to him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  "Whoever receives one little child like this in my name receives me.  "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Matthew 18: 2-6 NKJV

Something that many people know, is that little children are VERY trusting of those around them.  In fact, as part of growing up, parents need to show children who AND what they can trust to protect their children from the world around them.  Despite this, kids are going to learn alot on their own, kind of a trial and error system.  Yes, despite all the best efforts of loving parents, children will eventually strike out on their own to discover what's out there.  We can scold them, dicipline them and pray for them (hopefully we all do that) but that independent spirit which is in us all will eventually seek to discover.  I mention all of this to make the point that perhaps Jesus was trying to teach in Matthew 18.  We know that young children are very trusting and believing in those around them.  It is this blind faith, if you will, that I believe Jesus was refering to when he instructed those who were listening to "Become as little children."  One of the greatest, and humbling, experiences I've had in ministry was to assist in teaching a childrens Sunday school class.  These were not adults who would nod off in the middle of a sermon, these kids were genuinely excited to learn about Jesus.  Honestly, I've never met a adult who has showed that much excitement in God.  Why is that?  Why are little children so eager to learn about Jesus?  Well, besides the fact that they easily teachable at that age, they trust those who are teaching them.  At least that's been my experience.  Oh, to be like a child, to hear those teachings about Jesus for the very first time.  Many of us can still recall our own Sunday school songs and stories.  Can we open our hearts wide enough to accept the good news and relationship with Jesus as enthusiasticly as a child?

~Scott~