by Rev Douglas Brauner

Believing and loving like children

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“[Jesus] said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”
Matthew 18:3 English Standard Version

Why do we spend our time trying to grow up when Jesus says that we cannot enter his kingdom unless we become like children? Isn’t Jesus giving us all permission to be Peter Pan?

Sondermann Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

I don’t think I’m the only one who gets Peter Pan. There is something inside of us that yearns for perpetual childhood. We’re tired of adult responsibilities; of getting the children ready for school, of closing the garage door, of making sure that everyone else is okay while we’re struggling to keep our heads above water.

We want the freedom to romp through the tall grass, make a fort, or play with dolls and most of all, go to bed without a care in the world. Like every child, we want to wake up ready to tackle the unknown wonders of the day.

However, instead of living like children we find ourselves bogged down with grownup headaches. It’s funny isn’t it? When we were children we couldn’t wait to become adults. When we’re adults we want to return to our childhood.

Is Jesus telling us that it’s better to be child than an grownup?

In one sense yes, but not in the way that we would like. Children have this capacity to love and believe. Though we know that children are born contaminated by sin, we also know that they have this amazing capacity to believe that Jesus is who he said he is and to believe that he loves them. Children also have this amazing ability to love because they have been love by Jesus.

To become like children does not mean returning to a fantasy but to embrace Jesus who loves and forgives us and to be transformed by this grace that we might love others as we have been loved.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado