Jesus and Children

Several days ago, I listened to an excellent teaching on the topic of Jesus and Children by Ed and Kent Dobson. I just listened to the pod cast by Mars Hill church again and I encourage you to take 40 minutes and listen yourself. Jesus and Children by Ed and Kent Dobson - August 24, 2008.

I could say a lot about the teaching, but I limit this reflection on a couple questions that were raised for me.

1. Who does the church consider to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God? Is it the talented, the powerful, the smart, the wealthy, the elderly? How does the church view children – where do they fall in the list? What do my efforts as a leader in the church say about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Should my attention as a leader be directed to those who are great by the world’s standards or those who are great by the kingdom standards?
2. Who can teach us how to enter the Kingdom of God? Can we learn from someone who is young in their faith? Or is it always necessary for us to be associated with those who have experienced more or know more about the life-with-God that God intends for us?
3. What tools are needed to lead others into the Kingdom-life? Certainly, according to this teaching, it isn’t that we need more information/knowledge. So what do we turn to, as leaders of God’s people, to guide others deeper into the Kingdom-life?

This pod cast was a powerful voice in my life right now. Certainly the most powerful image that was described was the moment that Jesus invited a child to stand alongside him – a child between the ages of infant to 2-years-of-age. He called this child…a child of similar age to my 18 month old son…and he said to his disciples, “Become like this child or you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” This image is powerful for me as I spend my days with my son – someone who can help me enter the Kingdom-life that Jesus is inviting us to live. It is a life filled with wonder and awe and curiosity and imagination. It is a life that is colorful and vibrant – a life of risks and great reward. It is a life worth living.