This post is Day 16 in a series of studies about “Babies and Children”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Babies and Children – Day 16

I have heard sermons on becoming like an innocent child, but Jesus does not say anything about innocence here. And most of us know children who were not too innocent for very long. Children can be quick to learn both good things and bad! Think today about your own childhood.

Matthew 18:2-3

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.

The Thought

This is one of the best known verses of the New Testament concerning children. But what does it mean? It is the answer to the question which the disciples asked Jesus: Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven? (Matthew 18:1).

They were probably thinking about the great names of the Old Testament, some of the babies we have been looking at this month, but Jesus surprised them by saying that none of those people were greater than a small child.

I have heard sermons on becoming like an innocent child, but Jesus doesn’t say anything about innocence here. And most of us know children who were not too innocent for very long. Children can be quick to learn both good things and bad!

Maybe Jesus was talking about the way a child remains teachable. Accepting what they are told by an adult. Watching and learning from a parent or a carer.

A young child is not aware of any responsibility, and has no worries about finance, food or future! Children in “normal families” trust their parents for provision, advice, and love. And they don’t worry about tomorrow as Jesus told His disciples not to do (Matthew 6:34).

Action

Think today about your own childhood. Did you have any worries? At what age did you lose your innocence? What caused that?

When you think about your young years, do you have any regrets? Give those thoughts to the Lord in prayer today asking Jesus to heal any scars that you may have from childhood.

Read a few more verses of Matthew 18 today and pray about some of the less understandable things that Jesus said.

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