Coming to Christ like a Child

Over these past few months I have been meditating on what it means to come to God like a child. In Matthew 18:2-4 Jesus says:

²And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I can't read this passage now without thinking of my children - Isaac and Carla - and what they're like. Children are trusting. And for good reason; they have to be or else they wouldn't eat, sleep, drink or have clean bums! At this point, my children simply receive what I give them. That's humility. And, as their loving parent, I give them what they need. That's kind of like grace. I say "kind of" because truly, grace is demerited favor. As sinners who rebel against a holy God, we don't deserve food, clothing and shelter, let alone salvation. We merit hell. But God is gracious and gives us all these good things that we don't deserve.

While Isaac has everything he'll ever need and is now beyond my care, safe in the arms of Jesus, I still get to take care of Carla daily. And, every time I change her diaper, it should remind me of what it means to come to Jesus like a child. It reminds me to humble myself by admitting my neediness and receive with gladness the many blessings God offers me in Christ.