There is no country in the world where children are allowed to drive or vote. You have to wait until you’re a grown-up. In God’s kingdom, however, you are a full citizen.
“Some people brought little children to Jesus to have him hold them. But the disciples told the people not to do that. When Jesus saw this, he became irritated. He told them, ‘Don’t stop the children from coming to me. Children like these are part of the kingdom of God. I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives it will never enter it.’ Jesus put his arms around the children and blessed them by placing his hands on them” (Mark 10:13-16).
The word irritated just doesn’t seem to capture how Jesus was feeling. Furious would be a better word. Jesus absolutely hated that his disciples—the people closest to him—were trying to keep children, his little brothers and sisters, from getting close to him.
As little kids, you get to be close to Jesus, to spend time with him. You get the joy that being a child of God brings. You are as valuable to him now as you will be when you are 25 or 45 or 85.
The little children—the ones Jesus loved to be around—were God’s children, just like you are.
Chomp on this!
God tells you that you are valuable to him. How can you spend more time with him?
