On the Road to Jerusalem: Like a Child

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."—Luke 18:17

The kingdom of God is for everyone who comes to Christ in repentance and faith—men and women, slaves and free, Jews and Gentiles, children and adults.  It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done or where you’ve been—as long as you come to Christ humbly, confessing sin, and are repentant, He will not cast you out.  As Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out”—John 6:37.  In fact, the Bible indicates that those who are most in danger of missing the kingdom of God are the religious.  In speaking to the chief priests and Pharisees (the preeminent religious teachers of the day), Jesus said,

"Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him”—Matthew 21:31-32. 

The only way anyone can enter the kingdom of God is through simple faith—just like a child.  We all, every single person, must come to Christ humbly.  We have nothing to offer God—no righteous deeds, no amazing abilities or accomplishments.  The Bible is clear—we are sinners, every single man, woman, and child.  The Bible doesn’t recognize the initials behind our name or before it, our awards, accomplishments, bank accounts, beauty, or brawn.  It is surprisingly rigid and unforgiving in that way.  There is no concept of tolerance or self-esteem.  God's word proclaims the unflinching and unchanging reality that all alike are under sin and all alike are in need of God’s salvation.

When we come to Christ we come in simple faith, just like a child.  A child doesn’t come with any agenda or preconceived notion of how things will be.  A child comes in simple belief and so must we.  We come into the kingdom of God with faith like a child, and we pray with that same type of faith. 

During Lent we humble ourselves through prayer and fasting, reminding ourselves of the simplicity of the Gospel—that Jesus Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am one.  He died on the cross for my sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.  He ascended into heaven, awaiting the day when He will judge the living and the dead.  This we accept by faith.

May we all have childlike faith and respond in simple obedience for the glory of His great and awesome name.  Amen.