Child’s play

Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 18:3

After a surprise storm blanketed the Middle East with snow, a newspaper photo showed four armed men smiling as they built a snowman outside the battered walls of a military headquarters. The wintry weather also caused a protest to be canceled and delayed a debate over parliamentary matters of pressing importance. Men wearing long robes and women in traditional black dresses and headscarves were seen playing in the snow. There’s something about snow that brings out the child in all of us.

And there’s something about the gospel that beckons us to abandon our deep hostilities and feelings of self-importance in favor of a childlike humility and faith. When Jesus was asked, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Matthew 18:1), He called a little child to come to him and said, "Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (v. 3).

It has been said that age diminishes our imagination, hopes, and possibilities. The older we get, the more easily we say, "That could never happen." But in a child’s mind, God can do anything. A childlike faith filled with wonder and confidence in God unlocks the door to the kingdom of heaven. – David McCasland

God, give me the faith of a little child!

A faith that will look to Thee –

That never will falter and never fail,

But follow Thee trustingly. – Showerman

READ: Matthew 18:1-11

Faith shines brightest in a childlike heart.

The Bible in one year;

• Numbers 20-22

• Mark 7:1-13