I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 1st John 2:12 (New American Standard Bible)
Ever notice how easy it is for children to display their true selves? I have the great pleasure to be able to give daycare to my two youngest grandchildren who are both toddlers. Elizabeth is 36 months old and Ewan (sounds like ‘you-un’) is 27 months. As I’ve had them before they could walk it has been interesting to see how they have grown physically and matured. Fascinating is one word that describes my wonder at how quickly they begin to comprehend and use intuitive thinking to express themselves. Seeing how the Lord has created the human body and mind to grow from a single egg in the womb to a little child who can sit on your lap, kiss you and say “I love you” is a testimony that is as awesome as pondering the universe. We are indeed wonderfully and awesomely made.
One day while Jesus was ministering to the multitudes some parents brought their little children to Him so He could lay His hands upon them and pray for them. His disciples rebuked the parents and in the process received a gentle rebuke from Jesus. He said let the little children come to Him and don’t hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14). Why little children? From what I’ve seen of a little child they have not yet learned how to hide or mask their true feelings but are able to reveal their inner most being to the world. Only later as they grow older and learn negative responses from care givers and society do they become masters at hiding their true selves and burying their emotions.
As God does know everything there is then nothing He does not know or needs to be taught. Therefore He knows us completely and always has. How often we grow beyond the simplicity of child-like authenticity and think we’re hiding our true selves from the One who sees and knows us better than we do ourselves. When we try to hide our inner hurts and pains from Him who knows all things it is similar to Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes with fig leaves tied around their nakedness. Christ is there and knows exactly why we’re hiding. Becoming like a little child is lowering our defenses and telling Jesus in our own child-like way just how helpless we are without His oversight and loving care. He desires us to come upon His lap and rejoices and smiles when we lay our heads upon his breast. He desires honesty in the inward parts and authenticity of spirit and trust. While the whole gospel message can bamboozle theologians a little child can fully grasp its meaning in the song “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.” Nothing my two toddlers can do that delights me more is to come to their “Papa” and relay their truest feelings to me through words and signs. They are masters at letting it all hang out. They know and trust my love and authority. It is said the great theologian C.S. Lewis was once asked through all his vast study of and knowledge in the Scriptures what was the most profound thing he had learned. His reply was “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” You can’t get any simpler than that. Or more profound.
Ken
www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com
