“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Luke 18:17
Watching and interacting with children is amazing! Play is such an important part of their development as they imagine, pretend and create. A child’s imagination can turn a broom stick into a horse, an old towel into a super hero cape, or an empty box into a rocket ship. Children are trusting, believing, accepting and full of curiosity. They make friends easily with other children and may play at the park for hours with another child and never know their name or anything else about them. They just accept each other as they are and call them friend.
It has been said that children laugh, giggle and smile 300 to 400 times a day, while adults only about 15 times. Children just have a genuine joy about them that makes you love being around them. There is no pretending or “putting on airs with children”, their responses are honest and real.
Maybe all of these characteristics are the reason Jesus called a little child over to demonstrate the attitude needed to enter His kingdom. When He said we must become like little children, maybe He wanted us to be more loving, accepting, and believing. Maybe we need to be full of curiosity to learn more about Him; and most of all maybe we should be more joyful in our Christian walk. So joyful that others want to spend time with us and learn about our Jesus.
Jesus loves children of all ages, including us. He desires that we all enter His kingdom.