Jesus & The Children

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Most certainly, I tell you, whoever will not receive God's Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it. Mark ten fifteen. Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, thanking you for the gift of your kingdom. We acknowledge that we often become too serious and rigid in our ways, losing the innocence and wonder that you desire in us. Lord, we recognize our need for you and for a faith that is pure and trusting, like that of a child. Grant us, Father, the gift of child like faith. Help us to approach you with open hearts, full of awe and wonder at your love and grace. Remove the barriers of cynicism and doubt that cloud our spirits, and restore in us a sense of innocence and joy. Give us the strength to embrace simplicity in our walk with you, and empower us to trust fully in your plans and promises. Let our lives reflect your goodness and love, and may we inspire others to seek your kingdom with the same childlike faith. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen, Thank you for praying with me to day. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for a tender and heart warming story inspired by the Gospels. If you've enjoyed this podcast, be sure to follow, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Aha busily scurried around the kitchen as the fire crackled and roared. The smell of freshly baked bread danced through the room. The front of her clothes were dusted with flour and stained with grape juice, proudly worn by the hard working mother. Her husband, Reuben, sat slightly reclined at the table, bouncing their daughter playfully on his knee. 00:02:29 Speaker 2: Have you heard the Rabbi from Nazareth is said to be in the area? 00:02:33 Speaker 3: Hmm, and that should make the markets an interesting place today. I've heard all sorts of people come out of the shadows to meet him. 00:02:42 Speaker 2: Yes, I've heard the same thing. But I was thinking perhaps we could go see him as well. I was thinking we could take Naomi. If he is who they say he is, we could ask for his blessing upon her. 00:02:57 Speaker 1: Upon hearing her name, the little girl giggle and kicked with glee. She was delighted to be a part of the conversations. 00:03:05 Speaker 4: Are you sure that's the best idea. 00:03:08 Speaker 3: Something always seems to get stirred up wherever he goes. What it is his own town trying to throw them off a cliff for teaching in the synagogue, And that doesn't sound like the kind of rabbi who was away with children. 00:03:22 Speaker 2: Maybe we can just try. I'll even talk to Rebecca about bringing her little ones too, and if it looks like it's not a good place for the children, we'll leave. But of course, the decision is yours. 00:03:35 Speaker 1: Ruben looked up from his breakfast. He adored his wife and knew she only wanted the best for their little family. She never asked for much and was always content with their humble life, and though she respected Reuben, they always made their decisions together. They were one flesh and endeavored to honor one another. As she patiently waited her husband's response, her eyes twinkled with the same spark of love he remembered seeing on their wedding day. 00:04:11 Speaker 3: Well, what are we waiting for? If you want to beat the crowds, we better get. 00:04:16 Speaker 1: Going, Ahava beamed with a brilliant smile. Naomi leaped from her father's embrace and raced around the room in excitement. Her mind already filling with dreams of the day's adventures. 00:04:33 Speaker 5: Are you in pain after walking, running, or even just standing. It's not your feet, it's your shoes. This summer, switched to Gediphi shoes with patentive Verso shock technology, which aligns your body, provides superior shock absorption and trampoline like energy return. 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Today, we're going to take a moment to sit at the feet of Jesus as he teaches us something precious about faith through the eyes of children. Our passage is from Luke chapter eighteen, verses fifteen through seventeen, where Jesus says, let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 00:06:24 Speaker 1: Jesus and the disciples sat encircled in a grassy plain. They shielded themselves from the heat under a collection of sycamore trees. Before them lay plates of forged fruits and satchels of bread, the typical but appreciated meal for the sojourners. 00:06:43 Speaker 4: Did you see the look on the pharisees faces today? 00:06:46 Speaker 3: They really thought they had him with that divorce question. 00:06:49 Speaker 6: I'll be honest as they would have had me on that one, sure. 00:06:53 Speaker 4: But to be fair, they probably confuse you with most questions. 00:06:57 Speaker 1: Jesus was glad to sit back and observe the disciples process each day's events. He chuckled at the lightheartedness they had with one another. They had grown to accept their eclectic group for all of their differences. At one point in time, they had wondered why Jesus had called them from their various backgrounds of fishing, tax collecting, and more. However, any differences that once separated them a dissolved a way in being accepted and called by Jesus. To them, being a disciple of Jesus was a badge of honor. After spending most of the hours of the day controlling the crowds that pressed in to hear the Messiah or witness a miracle, they were proud to sit with him alone afterwards. 00:07:50 Speaker 6: Rabbi, is there anything else planned for today? It depends on whose plans you're talking about today. It seems like you've all settled in for the day. But I wouldn't be surprised if my father had other plans for us. 00:08:05 Speaker 3: What sort of plans another teaching? 00:08:08 Speaker 4: Oh? 00:08:08 Speaker 3: Oh, maybe some miracles. Those are always incredible to watch. Do you need us to do anything? 00:08:15 Speaker 1: Thomas was always full of questions and his desire to satiate his curiosity about the world. He was determined to understand Jesus and his ministry better, never allowing the words of others to define his perceptions of their Rabbi Jesus chuckled at Thomas's alacrity. 00:08:36 Speaker 6: If you paused to take a breath between all your questions, maybe I could answer one of them. 00:08:40 Speaker 7: As much as I would like answers to all the same questions. Is it possible that Jesus didn't say what the plans were on purpose? 00:08:50 Speaker 6: Ah You're not too far off, Andrew. Today will be a lesson in following me. Just do all that I have shown you to do. 00:08:59 Speaker 1: Their minds began and trying to comprehend jesus mysterious intentions. The disciples finished their lunch in silence, wondering how they would know what they were supposed to do. Reuben huffed and puffed as he pulled the cart behind him. More of their neighbors had accepted Ahava's invitation to join them on their day trip than he expected. He had thought it would be easier to pack the kids into the cart, save for the newborns strapped to their mothers. As sweat dripped from his brow With each strained step, he questioned whether he had made the right choice. Behind him, Ajave and their neighbors were sharing all the stories they had heard about the man named Jesus. 00:09:49 Speaker 2: I heard he performs miracles wherever he goes. One of my cousins and Kana said it started at a wedding there. I don't know about miracles, but they say when he teaches, even the fis parises have trouble finding their voices. 00:10:02 Speaker 3: A pharisee without something to say, not say, that's the real miracle. 00:10:08 Speaker 1: Despite his jesting, Reuben had to admit he was curious if all the stories he had heard about the rabbi were true. He had picked up pieces of tales from traveling merchants in the marketplace as he tended to his shop. They said they had witnessed Jesus use a boy's lunch to feed a whole multitude of gatherers, and that after that he had taught one of the most potent messages they had ever heard. If even just a fraction of the stories were true, making this trip was worth meeting Jesus of Nazareth. As Reuben was about to suggest, stopping for lunch Ahava raised her voice with a sudden gasp. 00:10:54 Speaker 2: I see a group up ahead. Maybe they know where Jesus is, and if not, it's at least a good reason to stop for lunch. 00:11:00 Speaker 1: Hearing the word lunch made Reuben's stomach grumble. He wished one of the other fathers would offer to take a turn with a cart. He turned back to check on the kids. Naomi was perched at the base of the wooden handles, holding on as if driving a yoke of oxen. Seeing her joy seemed to lighten the load and gave him the strength to continue. The families neared the group of men as several stood to greet them. 00:11:31 Speaker 7: Shaloam, shaloam? What brings you all this way with so many young ones? 00:11:37 Speaker 1: Andrew smiled at the little ones huddled together in the cart. He contorted his face with a grin, making the kids all laugh. 00:11:45 Speaker 3: Shaloam shalom. Our apologies for interrupting your lunch, but we had heard rumors that the rabbi called Jesus of Nazareth was in the area, and my family and neighbors were hoping we could meet him. 00:11:58 Speaker 1: Simon stepped forward from the group. 00:12:00 Speaker 3: I'm sorry, but our teacher is taking a break for the. 00:12:03 Speaker 2: Day, So you mean he's here. 00:12:06 Speaker 1: Ahava could hardly believe it. She was sure the Lord had led them straight here. She turned back to the children, little ones. 00:12:15 Speaker 2: The Rabbi is here. Carefully climb out of the cart. 00:12:18 Speaker 3: Miss, Perhaps you misheard me, I said, Our teacher is taking a break for today. 00:12:24 Speaker 6: Yes, but I'm sure he'll be teaching again soon. Why don't you and your precious families come back then, I promise. 00:12:32 Speaker 7: You it will be well worth it. 00:12:34 Speaker 3: I'm not sure this is the place where children, Matthew, they're distracting and loud. 00:12:41 Speaker 4: What if they interrupt our Rabbi's teaching. 00:12:43 Speaker 1: Matthew did his best to round out Simon's directness. His diplomatic ways of managing conflicts were still ingrained in him. Years behind the bars of his tax collecting booth taught him that people are much more easily swayed with latter than force. 00:13:01 Speaker 2: But we've made it all this way. Is there a chance we could just have a few. 00:13:06 Speaker 1: Ahava's words were cut short as another man from the group moved to introduce himself. 00:13:11 Speaker 6: Please excuse my friends, it appears they're having a hard time remembering the instructions I gave them today. Simon, Matthew, perhaps you should take a seat before our guests take offense to our lack of hospitality. 00:13:23 Speaker 1: Simon and Matthew shrunk back as all the disciples fell silent. 00:13:28 Speaker 6: My friends, come join us for lunch. I'm sure the parents could use a rest while the children stretched their legs. 00:13:35 Speaker 1: He winked at Reuben, who soaked robes showed that he had clearly done the heavy lifting. He wheeled the cart around to where the disciples were gathered. Jesus followed and found a spot in the middle of a long log. The children jumped from the cart, one after another, piling around Jesus. Their parents attempted to keep their children froming too close to Jesus out of respect. 00:14:03 Speaker 6: Please let the little children come to me. There is no needing to keep them back. Seeing such childlike wonder and excitement is refreshing. 00:14:12 Speaker 1: Jesus looked to the children, then to their parents, then to his disciples, who were quietly watching and not wanting to take another misstep. Jesus paused when he flashed a silly face at the children. They giggled and hopped onto him. Jesus pretended to fall back, then ran away with one of them on his back. The other children squealed and chased him through the nearby meadow. Jesus pretended to gallop like a horse, and each child took turns riding. Jesus whinnied, brayed, and stomped like a horse. He trotted back to the others and sat down. The children hopped onto his lap. They were near close content. 00:15:03 Speaker 6: Do you see how these little children came to me without hesitation or fear. The Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I tell you, any one who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. 00:15:20 Speaker 1: Jesus words pierced the disciples hearts immediately, conviction swept over them. How could they have forgotten how openly Jesus had accepted them despite their childish ways, and all he had asked them to do was show the same kind of love to others. 00:15:42 Speaker 6: Now, may it please my Father in Heaven to pour out blessings on these young ones. 00:15:49 Speaker 1: His eyes dropped to the small faces gazing up at him. He placed his hands on their heads and smiled. 00:15:57 Speaker 6: May God bless you and protect you. May God show favor and be gracious to you. May he show you kindness and grant you peace. Amen. 00:16:09 Speaker 1: The Disciples had seen Jesus perform miracles and wonders. They heard him teach with authority to thousands of people. They had proudly stood by his side as he ran circles around the arguments of the Pharisees and scribes. But watching him now, laughing and playing with these precious families, they understood that there was always more to learn about the Messiah. 00:16:44 Speaker 4: Let's picture this scene. Parents are bringing their little ones to Jesus, hoping he would touch them, bless them that, maybe even say a prayer over them. These were likely young children, even infants, being carried in their parents' arms. Now this would be a heartwarming moment, but the Disciples saw it differently. They rebuke the parents, probably thinking Jesus is too busy for this. We've got important things to do, places to go, sermons to preach. But Jesus, huh, how I love Jesus. He stops everything and calls the children to him. He says, let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them for as such as the Kingdom of God. Now, what's going on here. Jesus isn't just being nice to kids, though that's certainly part of it. He's teaching us something profound about the nature of faith and about the Kingdom of God. He's saying that if we want to enter the Kingdom of God, we need to have a faith that's like a child's. Think about children for a moment. They trust easily. They have this incredible capacity to wonder and to be in awe. They're not weighed down by the worries and stresses that we adults often carry. When a child looks at a sunset, they don't think about the physics of light refraction. They just marvel at the beauty of it. They receive life with open hands and open hearts. Jesus is telling us that this is the kind of faith we need, a faith that trusts, that marvels, that receives God's blessings without overthinking or trying to earn it. But let's be honest, as adults, we often lose that childlike wonder, don't we. Life gets busy. We're hustling, grinding, trying to keep everything together, and before we know it, even our relationship with God can become formulaic. Something to check off the to do list. We can easily slip into thinking that we have to earn God's love or that we have to have all the answers before we can really enjoy his presence. Yet here's Jesus gently reminding us. Don't forget to be like these little ones. Don't forget to trust, to wonder, to simply come to me. One commentator noted, children received the blessing of Jesus without trying to make themselves worthy of it or pretending they don't need it. Isn't that powerful? How often do we adults try to make ourselves worthy of God's love or pretend that we've got it all figured out. Jesus says, no, just come, come like a child with open hands and an open heart. I remember hearing that in Jesus's day, it was customary for mothers to bring their children to a distinguished rabbi on their first birthday so that he might bless them. These mothers in Luke chapter eighteen were simply doing what was natural to them, bringing their children to someone they trusted to bless them. They might not have known all the theological implications, but they knew this Jesus is good, and they wanted their children to be near him. So what about us? Are we bringing our childlike hearts to Jesus? Are we allowing our s to be in awe of his goodness, to trust him with a simple, unburdened faith, or have we allowed the stress and the grind of life to cloud our wonder, our joy and our openness to God's blessings. Let's take a moment to day to ask God to renew in us that childlike faith. Let's ask him to help us trust him more deeply, to marvel at his creation, to receive his love and blessings with open hearts, just like a child. And let's also remember that just as Jesus welcomed those little children, he welcomes each of us, no matter where we're at or what we're carrying. He's calling us to come to him, to lay down our burdens, and to simply be in his presence.