“Then he said: I promise you this. If you don’t change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. But if you are as humble as this child, you are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4
Children and if and how they will return to school, is fairly high on the agenda and the minds of politicians, teaching professionals and parents at present.
Rightly they are precious for so many reasons and must be guarded, carefully accounted for and treated with value not as pawns in a game with higher valued pieces to guard on the board.
It is not as a pawn to facilitate parents availability to get back to work at any risk, not at the risk and pressure of those educationally accountable, not at administration tests and achievements convenience, not at the risk of what they are being denied but for them only.
Just as they are; as the priority.
Their psychological, social needs and health are paramount to the equation.
They have equal and if not more value and because of their vulnerability to be considered individually and within their family and social circle.
They are not and must never be compromised for statistics, deadline keeping, finances, the economy, other’s glory. Nor be subjected as the sacrifices that some elderly in their establishments appear to have facilitated.
Jesus certainly did not allow those around Him to dismiss the children. He pointedly turned His full attention to high light their importance to Him individually drawing them close but also with His insight into the beauty of what comes uniquely from the unguarded Innocent child.
Come just as you are. ‘
Young children come with innocence what you see is who they are whether that be joyful, sad, happy or cross. They are open hearted. Showing love or dislike Children are intuitive and unguarded in the art of disguise and protocol.
They are as yet unable to hide behind a mask of underlying real thought or feelings.
To a Father and Jesus who see and know all anyway how refreshing that quality of open must be and how obvious that they would desire such open honesty from us!
To be as a child.
As young children we innately have all our faith and trust in our good parents to know and provide for our needs and keep us safe.
It is a simple surrender to their knowing and providing.
Again the posture in the relationship available to us for the taking with God and Jesus but just as we grow more independent and self reliant in childhood in the natural so we do spiritually and so the reminder to come as little children trusting and depending.
The coming humbly is in our expectation of it all being a gift that only They can provide all our needs not earned by our merit, freely given.
Just as a young child has no desire or expectation to go it alone ‘I’m ok thank you very much’ They accept being looked after as a gift.
They submit to being fed what they need. They confidently take the open arms or leading hand. Or to be subjected to the will and guidance of the good parents care.
The battles only begin when the child breaks away in independence to do it there own way, however risky and to think that they know best!
Children can be easily lead ,will go along and obey.
‘Those who are led by the spirit are the children of God ‘ Rom 8 v 14
The illustration is of a child climbing unceremoniously up close to Jesus face in intimate, innocent proximIty to His mouth listening to his voice and whisperings.
To being at total ease to cling onto His beard and draw closer no embarrassment, no barriers.
A place of love and intimacy with Jesus our intercessor.
Also the sense of just as you are, no need for best behaviour or being prepared.
Jesus loving the child even more if their hands and face are covered with chocolate or grime. He would not flap the messy away but rather enfold them closer.
Certainly no social distancing only close intimate oneness. Nothing to transmit but freely given love.
Three scriptures that come to mind:
Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Mark 10 v 13-16
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Mark 9 v 42
“Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9 v 36-37
Lessisgreater 