But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬ ‭

Children are resilient. We all know it; we’ve all seen it. The 4-year-old riding their bike down the street, taking a sharp turn, falls off and scuffs their knee, only to hop up and get back on the bike and continue on, smiling. 

Just as much as they may be resilient, they are just as dependent. Startled by a dream, a child runs to their parent's bedside in tears, seeking comfort.

In this beautiful encounter recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus invites the children to come to Him. Even among crowds of people with more questions and needs, Jesus turned his attention to the children. He acknowledges the pure and dependent hearts of children and proclaims that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to those who possess this same faith.

As adults, we find ourselves burdened with the worries of the world and entangled in distrust of people who hurt us. As Jesus often does, He reminds us of the “upside-down kingdom” that we belong to. Reminding us of the beauty and need of childlike faith.

Children naturally depend on others for their needs. Without even knowing it, they understand their limitations and eagerly seek help from those they trust. In the same way, we should acknowledge our insufficiency and rely on the provision and wisdom of our Father. Surrendering our pride and self-reliance, knowing that our loving Father who cares for us will meet our every need.

Children also possess a genuine sense of wonder and awe. They marvel at the simplest of things. Shapes in the clouds, raindrops racing on a car window, or the beauty of a flower. Likewise, we should never lose our awe and wonder toward our Creator but continually be captivated by His creation and His mercy. 

Childlike faith is not childish; it is resilient, trusting, dependent, and full of wonder and awe.

Jesus' invitation to let the children come to Him is an invitation for you and me to embrace this same childlike faith, a faith that trusts wholeheartedly, stands in awe of creation, is steadfast in suffering, and depends on Christ completely.