Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Matthew 19:13-14 – Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (NIV)

This passage is familiar to most of us who went to Sunday school. It is taught to children to instill in them the importance of children to both our heavenly Father and to Jesus. To me this passage is akin to learning the alphabet… just something you learn, but do not question. However, the other day, I was thinking, Why did Jesus say, "Do not hinder them"? Why were the disciples preventing the children from approaching Jesus? Have you ever thought about this? Were the disciples too focused on the religious leaders of the time, the Roman guards, or perhaps the politicians? Did they assume that children were too young to understand the teachings of Jesus? Was it because children, of this age, were to be seen and not heard?

The other day, I was just returning from my daily walk. I noticed a mother with two young children in front of me on the sidewalk. She was holding the hand of the younger child, clearly trying to steer him clear of the mud puddle that was calling to him. As I approached the trio, the other child, a boy of perhaps three years of age, started talking to me. He was holding two toys and was excitedly explaining to me that they were Transformers, that he loved Transformers, and on and on. At one point, I caught the eye of the young mother, who smiled and shrugged her shoulders, clearly apologetic for her son's long explanation. I smiled back and continued to listen. When the young lad seemed to have finished his discourse, I told him that his toys were "just awesome". I wished the young family a good day and began walking away. I halted completely a few steps later, pivoted, and asked the mother, "Did he just say that he loved me?" She nodded. I told the little boy that he had just made my day and chuckled as I thought how delightful it was that a complete stranger had just expressed his love for me. Then, I hit a kind of mental pause, as I realized that this child had reminded me about how we are all called to love one another — strangers or not.

Jesus knew the purity and innocence of children. He understood that things come out of their mouths unfiltered by social mores acquired later in life. He knew the importance of teaching children and explaining why things are right or wrong. Maybe most importantly, Jesus understood that while children comprehend things differently and perhaps more simply, their understanding is often very profound. Maybe, just maybe, Jesus was not calling the children to Him to receive instruction, but so that the children could teach His disciples a valuable lesson!

God spoke to me this day through a child. Have you been missing opportunities to hear His voice in children that you may encounter?

Prayer: Dear God, Your love calls to us, Your children, through all circumstances. Your love calls to us in joy as we praise and thank You. Your love calls to us in sorrow as Your Holy Spirit comes alongside us to comfort. Your love calls to us in sinful times as You call us to ask for Your forgiveness. We may feel or see displays of Your love through family, friends, strangers, or children. Help us, Father, always to remember that "the greatest of these is love". Amen.

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