The Little Ones....

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

 “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.  Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!  If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.  And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.  “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.  (Matthew 18:1-12, NIV)

There are some themes Jesus—and later the apostles—returned to time and time again. Children are mentioned over and over. Jesus was clear about the mindset we must have if we wanted eternal life.  You can’t be proud—you must humble yourself like a child. You can’t be self-sufficient—you must admit your need for a master—-both God as your Father and Jesus as your Savior.  You cannot be stiff—-you must be malleable and moldable—like clay in a potter’s hands!

But for a moment, think about the people you are drawn to—the ones you want to spend time with.  Aren’t they the ones with these childlike traits—i.e. they laugh a lot, they smile, they’re interested in listening to you,  they like having fun!  Children look for smooth stones in river, or gasp when they see something beautiful.  They are unashamed to hold your hand, tell you they love you, laugh at themselves, etc.  They’re a gift from God’s own heart…. and I am so glad to be around them! It keeps you young by reminding you about what really matters in life.

Jesus was speaking to adults and older teens when He famously said,  “You must change and become like little children.”   Heaven is not for those that “know-it-alls” or of those of the  “been there, done that” mindset.  It’s not for the boastful, the over-competitive, or those that must always be best, brightest or biggest noise in the room!  Now, does that sound like someone you know, or perhaps is that how others describe you?  Heaven will be full of children of wonder, awe and purity. That’s what He has called us to become!  Are you listening to Him?

Listen to this example of what happened to Jesus a fews days before the end of His life….listen to how children—-not adults or teens—-responded  when they saw Him enter into Jerusalem:  “But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” Matthew 21:15-16, NIV

Several years ago one of the Boys Camp Directors told this story about an associate in Mexico, and I will never forget it:

A family had just brought home their newborn baby, and their house was filled with excitement, exhaustion, and love. Late-night feedings, quiet rocking, and whispered conversations had become part of their new normal.

They also had a three-year-old daughter who was fascinated by her new baby brother. She watched every move, every yawn, every tiny stretch.

One afternoon she went to her mother and said,

“Mommy, can I go be with the baby?”

Her mother smiled. “Of course.”

Then the little girl added,

“I want to be alone with him. And I want the door closed.”

The parents hesitated. But remembering they had a baby monitor in the room, they agreed. They gently placed her inside, closed the door, and went to listen.

For a few moments, there was nothing but silence.

Then they heard her soft little voice through the monitor. She walked up to the crib and whispered:

“Can you still hear God? —I’m starting to forget.”

The parents froze. Tears filled their eyes.

In that simple, innocent question was a deep truth: children come into this world with a closeness to wonder, to mystery, and to God that we slowly lose as life becomes noisy and complicated.

Sometimes, faith isn’t about learning something new —

it’s about remembering what our hearts once knew.

(Shared by Oscar Vazquez at our camp many years ago)

Do you remember the sound of His voice?  Have you heard it lately? You can’t hear it if you’re wearing headphones or ear buds—you’ve got to learn to be quiet and listen in anticipation—like a little child does.

The older I get the more I think that growing mature as a child of God is not nearly so much about learning new things, but forgetting some of the bad things I learned after childhood and during my teen years; it’s remembering the things I once knew quite well.  Jesus said this: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:   And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28, NKJV)

Being a child of the King means that we will unlearn sin and its consequences—as you know,  heaven is free from evil.  Start unlearning sin now.

When we were little, we didn’t go to bed afraid, or walk out the door to play anxious about what might happen.  We were free of fear and anxiety.  That’s what it’s like to be a child of God! Anxiety is replaced by perfect peace.

When we were kids, we did not think twice about jumping into the water, or riding our bikes like maniacs, or trying something new—-we trusted that our dad would catch us, keep an eye on us and hold our hand.   In heaven we will forget pain and suffering, there will be no more tears—things will be like they were intended from the beginning—-like it used to be when we were innocent and pure.                         

Something else to consider if we truly become like children, as Jesus mandated: We will forgive and let go of grudges. In fact, in heaven we will unlearn even the need for forgiveness, as all will be reconciled.  Little children forgive and go on with the lives—-they don’t hold on.  They learn the sinister power of holding onto to offenses and how one can use it to manipulate or keep others down.

As children of the King, if we will let Him, He will show us how to abandon earthly desires, and focus solely on divine love and joy.

As I have seen it for 42 years now, older children and teens tend to test the boundaries, reject authority, resist rules and dispute what is right and what is wrong.  Little children listen, trust, and are ready to learn.  Which are you?   If we focus upon this, this is how our little church will grown and thrive….  Heaven, being born again, being saved from hell, spending eternity with God—-is to unlearn some adult and teenage things, and remember and embrace some things we knew and believed as children.

And in closing, I would remind you of Christ’s warning to everyone of us, about being a barrier to those that believe—or that want to believe!  Don’t let your ambition, your ego, your selfishness, your bad habit or even your sinful proclivities hinder a child that believes—-or wants to believe in Jesus!  Beware of confusing or frustrating a child’s attempt to follow Jesus or to learn about God!   Nothing  we do should cause a child to doubt God’s love or Christ’s sacrifice for them! This is why our little camp exists….To remind everyone that the kingdom of God is about childhood—-not retirement.  God’s eyes are watching us—-and so are little eyes that up to now might believe in Him.

The words of the Son of God about heaven are so clear:

…you must change and become like little children

… whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

…whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

… “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

… (My) Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.