Jesus' Family Album December 27 Devotional

MATTHEW 18:3 | ³ and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

This was a very surprising, even shocking statement in the first century world. Children were not idealized or idolized at that time, and many cultures even saw them as disposable until they reached the age of maturity. No one saw them as models, except Jesus.

Children have many gifts to give us in multi-generational communities of faith. Their curiosity, joy, emotional honesty, and general lack of inhibition, to name a few. But I believe Jesus has in mind their innate sense of need and dependence. Children ask for help, they ask questions, they know their need for the aid of their elders. Jesus’ multicultural, interracial, intergenerational, global family has a diversity based on one characteristic, it includes everyone who knows their need for God’s grace and favor.

What do you love about children?

Gracious God,

We have to know our need to receive your grace. Keep us mindful of our dependence, with our hands and hearts open for your wisdom and love.

Amen.