15 Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.

16 But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

I love to read today’s passage with my children. They are keen listeners, keen to accept truths, and keen to believe. Their innocence and keenness to believe mean that I need to be really careful with what I tell them – so pointing them to run to Jesus is some of the best life-long advice that I can give them.  And being able to tell them that Jesus himself welcomes them, today and forever, is wonderful news.

The challenge to me today is: do I share with them in this keenness too?  Am I keen to listen, accept truths, and believe what Jesus says, and indeed the whole of God’s Word? Do I sit in church listening to a sermon being preached, and have the same longing to hear a message from my loving heavenly Father?  Because the kingdom of God is to be simply received – it can’t be earned or bought. And with all the helplessness and keenness of a little child, we enter into the most wonderful family that could ever be, by simply believing and running to Jesus himself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.