Let the Little Children Come

Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (NIV)

I love kids. I have 2 of my own, whom I home school. I used to teach art, and before that I taught in preschools. In church I volunteer to work with children. I like kids and they (usually) like me. I learn so much from children because they believe what God says. Usually when you teach a child something from the Bible they just accept that God said it and it's true.

Take the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I was taught growing up that they were for Bible times, not for today. In 1990 I went to a church that taught me that they are indeed for today, but they put me in a room for hours, praying with me to force me to speak in tongues. Now I go to a well balanced church that teaches that it is for today and that we need the Holy Spirit, but I still don't speak in tongues. When the children were taught about the gifts of the Spirit, several of them spoke in tongues that very day. Why? Child-like faith.

No wonder Jesus said to bring the children to Him. He also said that "anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." They simply believe and want to do what God says to do. Sound too simple for you? Be like a little child and simply believe.