We Are His Children
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 becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:1-5)
What does it mean to be a child?
To the disciples, Jesus was speaking something that would be rejected by many.
After all, a child was powerless. A child had no rights. A child was a nuisance. A child had no claim to anything.
Yep.
That was the child of which Jesus spoke.
He was trying to tell the disciples that, unless they could be like a child — powerless, totally dependent, wanting, needy — they would not be able to understand the lavish love of God.
For, if they spent their time attempting to be in charge, of ensuring themselves of their own reward, they were not leaving room for God in their lives.
It is scary, yes, to be totally dependent upon God, and to let go of the control that we often seek of our lives.
Yet it is only when we do so that we can make room for God and see how much He loves us.
Jesus taught us to call God “Abba”, which literally means “Daddy”.
We are His children.
FAITH ACTION: With childlike simplicity and devotion, ask the Lord to provide for you this day.