How to enter the Kingdom of God
by Liz Griffin
Jesus taught his disciples many things and then they wrote them down for all of us. Sometimes they learnt by making mistakes. They thought they knew what was right and wrong, when they told the people off for daring to bring their children to Jesus, so He could touch them. Think how humble they were to let everyone know about their mistakes!
What the disciples wanted to do reminds me of how children were treated in England, in the upper classes, about a hundred years ago. They were to be ‘seen and not heard’. The rejection and lack of bonding that those children felt resulted in a lot of heartbreak. Jesus had to correct the disciples and point out that children were welcome in God’s Kingdom.
But it’s the next thing He said which really impacts me. ‘I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it’ (Mark 10:15). It’s a lesson for all adults. We are to receive the Kingdom of God like a little child. We can only receive it that way.
Children are not, by any means, perfectly holy but they are open spiritually. They can respond to God the Father without barriers of pride, fear and scepticism. They like to have fun and can enter into joy and excitement in a way that adults often miss out on. Spontaneity and disarming honesty are qualities of childhood which seem to be lost during the process of growing up for many people.
As little children we naturally trust and don’t question authority figures. For most of us that comes later, but sadly even little children can be abused and learn not to trust. I believe that if we are to enter fully into our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom we must decide to completely trust Him. It means believing His promises, that He loves us and that He will never let us down. It means we feel secure in that love.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly father, help us to really trust in you as small children trust in their Daddy. Help us to enter joyfully into a full relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.
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