The Little Children and Jesus – Luke, Chapter 18: 15-17
“People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 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. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
The Gospel of Luke has three back-to-back stories that stress not just the importance of coming to God in prayer, but how we should come to God in prayer. The third and final of these lessons is the story of the little children coming to be blessed by Jesus. The lesson, I think, is that God calls us to approach him humbly and with simplicity, not with pride, lofty explanations, or cautious hesitation. For just as a parent loves their child, God loves us with a depth we can only begin to understand. And as a child trusts in this abiding depth of love, we can trust that God will always receive us, each and every one.
Prayer: Most loving father, you know me through and through. You’ve seen me to the depths of who I am. You extend your love to me completely and without conditions. Please let me remember that I need to come to you every day, with a simplicity and love that breaks down any inner barriers I have to your grace. Fill me with the peace, love, and simplicity of a child, and let me be born in you anew.
