Have you ever had someone give their baby to you?
Have you ever had someone in complete desperation beg you to take their baby?
I've had it happen more than once.
That's why the following makes so much sense to me.
In Luke 18, we find Jesus in Jerusalem walking about, doing his thing.
People were bringing infants to him so that he may touch them. And when the disciples saw what was happening, they rebuked them. (15)
But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (16-17)
Often, we see Jesus' interaction here with the people as "we must become like children." True.
But is there more here to see?
One of my most memorable moments ever was meeting a little girl named Cailani in the bush of Mozambique. Cailani had recently lost her father to AIDS and her mother was also stricken. Cailani had HIV herself. She was three.
From day one, Cailani was attached to my hip. It was by her doing, but I didn't complain. She lit up my world every day, and I couldn't help but treat her like she was mine.
Three times that month, her mother begged me to take Cailani home with me.
This wasn't a measly offer, it was a pleading beg with streaming tears and a shrieking voice.
Three times this happened. Three times.
What did this woman see in me?
How could I be worthy to take her precious child?
What could I possibly give her?
Hope.
The Jesus in us gives them hope of a better life in abundance.
It dawned on me, how many times have we gone somewhere in the name of Jesus and people brought their babies to us just for us to touch them or even possibly begged us to take them home with us? The Jesus in us gives not only hope of a better life in abundance, but the Spirit of God sets free and saves that which is lost, to walk us into this abundance as beloved sons and daughters.
We must embrace the abundance of God for ourselves, as dearly beloved children.
We see endless possibility in the Kingdom when viewed from the heart of a child.
We must not only embrace this abundance as empowered sons and daughters,
but give a powerful Kingdom full of hope as Jesus did, seeking that which is lost to set captives free.
After all, sons and daughters, you are the hope on earth…
