Having the Faith of a Child

Lenten Devotional Series Day 19. Today’s meditation is on Luke 18:15-43.

Jesus loves our children. Even the tiniest ones. He loves them in the womb, he loves them in their mother’s arms. He loves them even when they start running around, getting under our feet, and fighting with their siblings. He loves them, and he wants us to bring them to him. In fact, only children can enter the kingdom of heaven.

So, if adults want to come to Jesus, they too must become like children (v. 17). This means that in the eyes of God, every baptism is an infant baptism. It doesn’t matter how old people are when they first turn to Christ, they’re baptized as babies.

But here’s the thing—we think babies are cute, but in the first century they had no status at all. They could do nothing useful, had no contribution to make, no achievements to claim. They were nobodies.

So it must be for us, too. As we come to Jesus, we must lay aside status, lay aside our many years of accomplishments. We must take the things of which we’re proudest and strip them from our resumes, rewinding the movie of our lives to the point when we could do nothing. Before we’d ever earned a dollar. Before we could even sit or feed ourselves. Before we could talk or understand a word. Back to when we were helpless and utterly dependent. Only then can we enter the kingdom. Only then can we remain in the kingdom.

And that’s impossible. It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for competent, educated, influential, middle class people to enter God’s kingdom (v.25). Our achievements, status and pride clutter our hearts and make it impossible for us to draw near to Jesus.

With man it’s impossible. But all things are possible with God. We can draw near because God, in his love, humbles us. In a hard mercy, he lovingly strips us of trust in our status and love for our achievements. He enables us to see ourselves for what we are and to cry out in desperation, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”  (v.38-39).

Whenever we keep the fifth commandment by honoring our human authorities, we also honor our heavenly Father. In so doing, we are reminded of our status as children in the household of God.

Today in prayer, begin with the Collect of the Day (below). Then before the Lord, set aside every achievement and accomplishment, and come to him as a child. Share with him your fears, dreams, and needs. And then honor him as your heavenly Father using the words of the Lord’s Prayer.

Collect of the Day. Almighty God, look upon the sincere desires of your humble servants, and stretch out the right hand of your majesty to be our defence against every enemy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.