My youngest grandson came to visit for a few days. He's three years old. We had a wonderful time doing nothing in particular.
Each day he and I went out to explore a playground, an indoor activity center, or a field and find special shiny rocks. He would sit on my lap and we went around town in my electric wheelchair. As we travelled we sang songs. My grandson can really belt out rousing renditions of Itsy, Bitsy Spider and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Each day he and I went out to explore a playground, an indoor activity center, or a field and find special shiny rocks. He would sit on my lap and we went around town in my electric wheelchair. As we travelled we sang songs. My grandson can really belt out rousing renditions of Itsy, Bitsy Spider and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
SUCH AS THESE
When we passed the big red brick church on the hill in the center of town my little guy would say, "There's Papa's turch." (He calls me Papa). I'd take the opportunity to talk to him about Jesus.
As each day came to a close and bedtime came, I read to him children's Bible stories. We read about how God made the world and when Jesus blessed the children. My wee grandson took it all in and accepted the stories as truth. Then we prayed for mommy, daddy, sister and brother, and when I said "amen", he simply rolled to his side and went to sleep hugging his favourite stuffed animal he named Dixie.
He was completely dependent on me and trusted me and slept like -- well, ... a baby.
My little grandson's simple and pure faith made me understand anew what Jesus said: "Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19.14, cf. Mark 10.13-16.)
Like my grandson's dependence and trust in me, I must be the same way toward God.
In the previous chapter of Matthew, Jesus used a child to model discipleship:
"At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me." (Matthew 18.2-5, cf. Matthew 10.40.)
The word "turn" means to change course and implies repentence. It is a crucial component to salvation and entrance to the kindom of heaven, along with faith, dependence and trust in Christ.
Jesus' teaching on children in Matthew 19 closely follows His teaching on marriage, which precedes His teaching on money (but that's fodder for another blog column).
FAMILY
It is God's intent that children be raises in the security of a family with a father and mother. That's the model. In Matthew 19.5 Jesus states that marriage is between a man and a woman in agreement with God's original intent for the marital union (Genesis 2.24). Biblical Christians must, therefore, conclude that children are best served by a family with a mom and a dad.
Both genders bear the image of God but reflect different characteristics of God in different ways. Children need to see those differences to develop a healthy understanding of God (and the world). The more both parents trust and depend on Christ, the more accurate the reflection of God's characteristics. Conversely, the less trusting and dependent the parents are on Christ -- the more distorted the image shown to children.
As a grandparent, my role is to be supportive to the marriages of my children, to offer advice when sought, to adore my grandchildren and give them a sense of their history.
It's not easy. I'm dominant by nature. I want to take charge! But that is not my role. I am only a grandparent. God's way is for my children to raise my grandchildren, not me. I am not in charge anymore.
HUMBLE MYSELF
My deluded and confused mind is finally clearing and I am taken back to a Scripture mentioned above:
"At that time the discipes approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
My three year old grandson has much to teach me about humility and the kingdom of heaven. I must turn and become child-like in my trust and dependence on Christ.
"At that time the discipes approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
My three year old grandson has much to teach me about humility and the kingdom of heaven. I must turn and become child-like in my trust and dependence on Christ.
MP
0 comments:
Post a Comment