The look and heart of Jesus
The children, in the time of Jesus, were like the children you know today.
Let us seek to look at the children with the eyes and heart of Jesus. Jesus could meet the children you work with, he would have the same reactions. Let us try to discover Jesus’ attitude towards them and look at children with our hearts to respond with love to all their expectations.
The despised child
“Beware of despising any of these little ones.” (Matthew 18.10)
Because the child is smaller than us by size, we think that his needs are smaller or even non-existent. The child often has even greater needs than an adult. Why don’t we look at his soul? Is a child’s soul smaller than an adult’s soul? If from a food point of view, the child should have the right to the best pieces, then from a spiritual point of view, let us give him the best of God’s Word. Let us give him as much attention as possible for his spiritual life.
The misunderstood child
“The chief priests and scribes were outraged at the wonderful things Jesus had done and the children shouting in the temple: Hosanna to the Son of David! They said to him, “Do you hear what they say?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. Have you not read these words: You have drawn praise from the mouths of children…” (Matthew 21.15-16)
Religious people were annoyed by the cries of the children who followed Jesus. They were even more annoyed by the attitude of Jesus who let them scream. These religious people did not understand that the children praised Jesus in the manner of children and with children’s words. But Jesus understood that they were praising him very sincerely and he appreciated it very much. A child does not express himself like us, he does things spontaneously, without a way, he remains natural but sincere. The adult I am doesn’t always understand it. So let’s try to understand his joys, his prayers, and even his angers and sulks.
The rejected child
“Little children were brought to Jesus so that he might touch them. But the disciples took back those who brought them. Jesus, seeing this, was indignant!” (Mark 10.13)
Be aware of what these men were doing! They didn’t want the children to come to Jesus. They wanted to prevent the children from receiving the blessing of Jesus. They rejected them… it is true that these children were very small since Jesus will take them in his arms… they must have been between 2 and 6 years old. If Jesus wants to receive them, though so small, who are we to repel them? On the contrary, let us seek to bring to the Lord all children, even toddlers.
The child outraged
“But if someone scandalized one of those little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to hang a millstone from his neck, and throw him to the bottom of the sea.” (Matthew 18.6)
The disciples, very proud of themselves, come to Jesus to ask him who is therefore the greatest in the kingdom of God. And they did it in front of children who were very surprised by this state of mind! Jesus understood that the children were shocked by this attitude. A child looks at and observes everything. It can find in adults attitudes, shocking words. How many children have been hurt by harsh and unjust words, by hypocritical attitudes! Even if the child does not express it, he or she may be outraged. Because of the children, we have to look after our attitude and our words.
The Lost Child
“Similarly, it is not the will of your Father that is in heaven that he loses one of these little ones.” (Matthew 18.14)
Jesus has just told his audience the story of the shepherd who is looking for his lost sheep. In application, he talks about the perdition of these little ones. God wants to save the children. Jesus, on the Cross, also died for the children. If we do not know that the child is lost, how can we preach repentance to the child? The child needs to learn that Jesus loved him so much, that he died for him in Golgotha. Our main concern is to bring the child to salvation as soon as possible, by speaking to him from heaven and accepting Jesus, is to accept the Savior who saves us from the eternal fire of hell.
