ALWAYS RECEIVE WITH THE HEART OF A CHILD

MONDAY 26 JUNE 2023

Christ Jesus points to the attitude of little children as a morally correct attribute for receiving the things of God. Indeed, there are special attributes that children exhibit, which cannot be ignored as we seek God's best, and they are humility, innocence, honesty, simplicity, trustworthiness and teachableness. Children, when very young, trust without reflecting and they are usually unmotivated by material and selfish considerations. Moreover, their trust is not a model of rectitude; it is a vital aspect of their reality. Children do not often desire to have their own way. They are easily free from malice, and are willingly reliable on their parents. And these are a part of attitude God wants from His children as they walk with Him.

Reference: Mark 10:15 The Passion Translation (TPT) 'Listen to the truth I speak: Whoever does not open their arms to receive God's kingdom like a teachable child will never enter it. Then He embraced each child, and laying His hands on them, He lovingly blessed each one."

In Jesus' day, receiving a blessing by a Rabbi was a serious big deal. It was customary for Rabbis to impart a blessing on children- and that sometimes included a prophetic message about the child's future. For this reason, parents flocked to Jesus with their children. Receiving His blessing would be a great gift and He might even foretell or prophesy over the child's future. The main benefit is that they would end up enjoying the blessing of long life.

The disciples saw these parents crowding around Jesus, and they weren't too happy or comfortable with it. After all, Jesus was way too busy to take time for children! Hence, the disciples rebuked them and tried to block the parents and children from seeing Him. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant, and so, He intervened and called the children toward Him with open arms, saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them. Yes, the Master wanted them near, and He gave them the greatest blessing of all, saying, 'The kingdom of God belongs to such as these' (Luke 18:16 NIV).

The disciples needed to learn that, rather than being self-imposed gatekeepers of the Kingdom, they were to invite people freely, recognizing that all who come to the Lord with the trusting dependency and child-like mindedness would receive God's saving grace and abundant blessings. Jesus also used the opportunity to teach His disciples that no one can enter the kingdom, without functioning in the spirit of children. He was using that illustration to teach them humility, guarding them against pride and selfishness.

The psalmist said, 'My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty;...But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me (see Psalm 131: 1-2). That's how David appears before the Lord. He begins with searching and examining His heart thoroughly, which is the central part of His being, thereby ensuring that He's neither proud, nor self-righteous. He knows that when God is pleased with his heart and faith in Him, He would be pleased to honour His Word on his behalf, if not, God does not delight in the heart of a fool, which is likened to someone beating the air, or casting pearls before swine, or speaking to the wind.

Just like David, God expects us to flow like a little child in our faith walk, and cultivate a quiet spirit; without prejudice, pride, arrogance or self-importance, in order to receive from Him, with the Spirit of nobility and worthiness. Therefore, we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, so that we can always be deferential to God, as well as remain reverent to Him, just as little children. Always be willing to serve the Lord and live the Kingdom-life on earth, with all diligence, such that you become very conscious of fulfilling your glorious destiny in Christ.

Scripture Reference - Matthew 18:3; 19:4; Mark 10:15; 1 Peter 2:2; 1 Peter 1:14.

Guided Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for encouraging me to always come before you with child-like faith to receive your best. I therefore, humbly open my hands to receive good gifts from you without limits, carrying within me your divine presence to influence and affect my world today, in Jesus' Name, Amen!