LUKE 18:16-17: “But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (NKJV)
OBSERVATION: This Easter Sunday our Children’s Ministry, under the creative leadership of Bonnie Lippard, put together a living experience of the Easter Story for our Children’s Church Program. It took our children to different stages during the last week of Jesus’ life, through His death, and finally to the Empty Tomb. There was a person who told each part of the story along the way which included life size figures and props.
When a group of our 4-6 year olds got to the station of the Cross something wonderful happened. Our Men’s Ministry leader, Mitch Willour, was telling the children about the importance of what Jesus did for us on the Cross. He shared the importance of inviting Jesus into your heart as one’s personal Savior and Lord. There was no attempt to try and get the children to respond, but they were encouraged to ask their teachers about this. However, one young boy stood up and said he wanted to do this. And then another young boy followed. Both of them were serious and fully understood what they were asking. They heard the Gospel message and their hearts were fully open and ready. They did not need to be prompted or encouraged. In fact, much like the 3000 in the Book of Acts – they were the ones asking our leader to lead them in asking Jesus into their hearts.
Two young hearts embraced Jesus as their Savior and Lord on Easter morning. They did not have any pride to overcome. They did not have any insecurities that kept them from coming to the Cross. All they had was an open heart an child-like faith. This also happened during our Wednesday night Awana program. Again, it was the student asking – “Can I do this now?” Jesus said – “Let the children come to Me!” And the children are coming! But Jesus also said something else. He said – “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Isaiah 11:6 says – “…a little child shall lead them.” When I think upon all of this, I hear the words of the letters to the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” God is speaking to us through the hearts and lives of these little children. No one has prompted them to reach out to Christ, they have freely and boldly come to Christ on their own. They did not worry about the rest of the children, what they would think. They jumped up and ran to Jesus. Oh, do we adults hear the call of God through the example of these little children?
Lord, I rejoice over these young hearts who have made Jesus their personal Savior and Lord. I rejoice in the pathway of love and light that they are beginning to walk upon at such a young age that will sustain them and keep them from so many of the pitfalls and shortcomings of this world they are growing up in. And I cry out to You from the depth of my heart – “Let me hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches – to our church!” Let a little child lead us into revival with open hearts and the boldness to run into the arms of Jesus! In Jesus Name!
