My typical role isthe “photographer guy” and as such I take a hundred or so pics of the kids each day to put in a program at the end of each day, and a longer one at the end of the week. Usually on the first day the kids are reserved or cautious when they see me with the camera. That’s understandable since some do not know me and probably are wondering why I do what I do, but after they see the photos on the screen Monday afternoon, they usually ham it up the rest of the week.
So far this is all back story, and I am going somewhere with this so keep reading. The photo below was taken Monday morning (the first morning), and it has impacted me since I downloaded it from the camera. The four girls are posing for the camera after finishing their craft that morning. The two girls on the left are VBS regulars and have known each other forever. The two girls on the right are from an affiliated church and they too knew each other. However, the four of them had never met before, and here they were a few hours into the first day of VBS bonding and developing friendships.
The simplicity of the photo stuck me from the beginning. As I pondered the photo I recalled the following words of Christ.
13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. - Matthew 19:13-15 (NIV)
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)
The same passage from The Message (Italics mine)
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
When we were children, life was simpler, less complicated. We looked at the world in wide eyed wonder. This picture reminded me of that time in my life when friendships were formed over ice cream, and staying out till the streetlights came on was the norm.
In these passages, Jesus teaches that it is necessary to be humble before God. Jesus was stating that a person must come to Him in humility in order to enter the kingdom. Children come with expectation and excitement. They come realizing that they are not sufficient in themselves. They depend totally on others.
We need to come to Jesus in the same manner, with an open heart, and a childlike wonder. We need to put down our preconceived notions, our pride, and our I’ll do it my way attitude and come to our Lord, savior, and creator with expectation and excitement. He created the universe, surely he can care for us.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
