“ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it”–Luke 18:17.
Beloved Ones in Christ Jesus,
I would imagine that most of us would recognize the setting of the words of Jesus quoted above. Of course, this is one of the more well-known statements made by our Savior during His earthly ministry. Luke gives us the bigger picture in 18:15 where we learn that many among the crowds following Jesus “ were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.”
The tension of that moment, between the people crowding in upon the Lord with their babies in tow and the disciples seeking to protect their Master, was suddenly broken by the commanding voice of the Divine Son: “ Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” It was then that Jesus set forth the terms of entrance into His eternal kingdom. The “ kingdom of God” must be embraced “ like a child.”
For the last two millennia, speculation has abounded about what Jesus really meant by this requirement of receiving the kingdom as would a little child. Was He talking about a sense of wonder and amazement? Or was it childlike trust, or the spirit of joy that He meant? Or, as many speculate, was it all about humility?
While there may be some merit to each of these suggestions, the better answer would seem to be found within the context of this episode. In Luke’s Gospel, this scene is set between two other key episodes in our Lord’s life. The first, Luke 18:9-14, is the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. The second, Luke 18:18-25, is the story of our Lord’s conversation with the ‘Rich Young Ruler.’ These episodes serve as something like the ‘bookends’ to our Savior’s encounter with the little ones.
In the parable of Luke 18:9-14, the Pharisee believes that He has something to offer to the Lord God that will earn his place in the Kingdom: “I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get”(vv. 11-12). The Pharisee truly (yet mistakenly!) believes that this admittedly impressive résumé will all but guarantee his entrance into heaven and eternal life in the presence of God.
On the other side in verses 18-25, there is the ever-confident “ ruler” who, as he sees it, has already accomplished what is required for “ eternal life” (v. 18). In response to the Lord’s mention of five of the Ten Commandments (v. 20), the young man replied, “ All these I have kept from my youth” (v. 21). Oh my! Talk about self-confidence!!
What these two men have in common is that they want to enter the kingdom of God by bringing something with them that will earn their place there. They approach the doorway of heaven with something in their hands, things they have accomplished that will surely establish their right to be in God’s presence.
Yet, in between these two self-assured men there are the little “ children” whom our Lord joyfully receives. Sadly, both the Pharisee and the young ruler failed to enter the kingdom. But the little ones hear from their Savior that they do, indeed, belong to His kingdom!
So what was the difference? What did Jesus mean by receiving the kingdom “ like a child”?
The answer, I believe, is to be found in the fact that these little children offered nothing to Jesus! They had no achievements to set before the Savior. They could not appeal to an extraordinary list of noble deeds performed or commandments faithfully obeyed! They appeared before Him as they were, in all of their weakness, inability, and yes, even in their sins!
And this is the way that all sinners must enter the Kingdom. With nothing! And this is what Jesus was teaching His disciples that day. Salvation cannot be achieved. It must be received. And to receive it “ like a child” means to come empty-handed to the Savior, fully dependent upon His grace and mercy.
Our encouragement for this new Monday is found here in this beautiful and touching story.
Doubtless, those reading these words have already entered the Kingdom of God by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone. You’ve known the tender love of God the Father. You’ve tasted His everlasting lovingkindness, and have been filled with His Spirit. And yet, there is always that inner ‘Pharisee,’ or ‘Rich Young Ruler,’ that assumes that God’s favor can be purchased, or that our status before the Father on any given day depends upon how well we have performed for Him. While not at all discounting the necessity of our loving obedience to God’s Word (remember, faith without works is dead), we are often derailed and discouraged by that nagging (and I think, devilish) inner voice that says, ‘You’ve not done enough! You must do more! You cannot rest, for you lag far behind in accomplishing what you should!’ And we forget, at least momentarily, that when we first came to the Lord, or rather, were brought to Him by His own sweet and effectual overtures, we came with nothing. . . nothing but our sins, a broken heart, and in the spirit of utter dependence upon Him! With this surely in mind, the Apostle Paul sounded his exhortation: “ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him” (Colossians 2:6).
My dear ones in Christ, this is where our journey with our Lord began. With nothing! And it is where it must remain. We must remember that we have nothing to offer Him that will improve our standing in His grace. We are as deep in the healing waters of salvation as we could ever be! Our position in Christ cannot be made better or more secure, for it rests securely upon His unchanging promise!
To say it another way, there is a very real sense in which we must remain little children, even as we grow and mature in our faith. Not in terms of perpetual immaturity, but in terms of our continual realization that all we have is His grace!
When we live this way, as fully-dependent children, we shall discover that His commands are our delight, His will is our most satisfying life-plan, and His glory our one and only aim!
I love you all so very much!
Mike