BECOMING LIKE THE ONES WE OUTGREW

n Luke 18:15–17, parents were bringing even their infants to Jesus so that He might touch them. The disciples, filled with irritation, began to rebuke the families and push them away. What they saw as a disruption, Jesus saw as a delight. What they treated as an inconvenience, Jesus treated as an invitation. What they perceived as a hindrance, Jesus embraced as holy.

Even Jesus’ disciples can fall into ignorance and despise the very things Jesus takes great pleasure in. In this moment, what the disciples viewed as an annoyance and a hindrance was actually the very thing Jesus desired to welcome with open arms.

I wonder if the same could be true now. I wonder if the things we are annoyed by, the things we believe are distractions or disruptions, are actually the inheritance that Jesus is trying to bring near.

In Luke 18:16, Jesus corrected their perspective with clarity and tenderness:

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Jesus not only invited His disciples to allow the children to come to Him, He invited them to literally become like the very ones they were pushing away. The very ones they dismissed were the models of the kingdom.

I wonder what the disciples were thinking at that moment.

Did they whisper in confusion?

Were they annoyed?

Were they frustrated that Jesus welcomed what seemed so weak, noisy, unpolished, and unnecessary?

And I wonder what we are like when Jesus corrects our thinking in His church.

Are we willing to see that the structures, values, and systems we have erected might actually be a hindrance to what Jesus is wanting to do?

Are we willing to acknowledge that our definitions of what is important may actually oppose the heart of God?

Luke 18:17 echoes like a wildfire through this moment:

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

If Jesus comes with a way that is different and much simpler than the way we operate, are we willing to surrender to Him? Or, like the disciples, do we resist Him because His way confronts our pride, our control, and our sophistication?

This is a sobering truth worth meditating on. It is worth asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of life, any systems of thought, and any cultural assumptions where we may be resisting or despising the very things Jesus is inviting and embracing.

As the Holy Spirit brings revelation, the wisest response is simple: surrender to the longing of Jesus’ heart.

If Jesus smiles at something, we should draw near to it. If Jesus invites something, we should welcome it. If Jesus values something, we should treasure it.

Today the invitation is clear.

Throw off our lofty ways of living shaped by western values, rooted in degrees, titles, status, and elite knowledge.

Embrace the wisdom of Jesus. Become like little children.

Children are simple minded, not foolish but uncluttered. They are filled with wonder, filled with trust, filled with faith, and filled with a readiness to receive. They are not striving to earn; they simply come. They are not performing; they are present. They are not guarding their reputation; they are open, humble, and free.

So much of the kingdom is distanced from us because we have overcomplicated what is incredibly simple.

We would do well to become like the very kind of person we have matured out of. We would do well to become like a little child. If we do not, we will end up with knowledge but very little intimacy.

We will build structures that stand tall but might stand in the way of Jesus receiving what He desires most.

We will cling to sophistication while drifting from surrender.

The kingdom belongs to those who become small enough to receive it. The kingdom belongs to those who dare to return to wonder. The kingdom belongs to those who hear Jesus saying,

“Let the little children come to Me.”

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