Shown to the kids ...

Tuesday, Sept 24, 2013. In the New Testament, kids play an important role. Jesus is talking about the world, about knowledge and insight into what is important. He has sent out disciples, and they experienced the power of God. Now they are coming back, but Jesus starts to talk about children!

Wisdom revealed …

There are many ways we search wisdom and understanding. We try to gain insight into how the world works, by science, by philosophy, by meditation, by various practices. Jesus is pointing us into another direction:

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and

revealed them to little children;

yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Luke 10: 21-24) The insight into the kingdom of heaven is revealed to little children. It is hidden from the wise and understanding. What is that about? Is Jesus merely provoking us, to grab even deeper and try harder to gain understanding? But the setup of this szene shows that he is not trying to use figurative speech as in a discussion, but we are taken into one of his prayers, a joint prayer with his disciples present. Come like a kid! Being a child or having a heart of a child is described to be of particular importance. In fact, if you want to get to know God, you need to receive the kingdom of God like a child. Jesus says: 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.**” (Mark 10: 14-15)

We often think that we succeed by strength, by achievements, by money, by being good, by possessions, by action, by courage. But all this is not the main point. It is being a child when you come to God. It is being like a child when you open your heart for his love. Come, like a kid, and discover the Lord! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts