And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 18:3) 

What did Jesus mean when he told us we must become like little children? 

What is it about little children that Christ wants restored in us? 

I remember being a kid, playing in my neighbor’s backyard, “All-Star” by Smash Mouth was blasting from the stereo. We were playing Wiffle Ball. All was well. It was like the kids from the movie “The Sandlot.” Pure innocence and fun, all trusting each other. Even after moments of doubting one another, we would always come back to that place of innocence and fun. 

There’s something about this childlike “innocence and fun” that was in the Garden of Eden. Why else would the Son of God come to the earth and tell us to become like children? It was central to His restoration plan!

I think Jesus held onto his childlike innocence and light. I think that’s one of the ways in which he stood out. And one of the reasons people fell in love with him. He was a grown man, doing miracles and preaching an authoritative message. But He did all of this with an innocent and trusting heart, slow to anger and abounding in love.

With this simple understanding of childlikeness, we invite you today to take some time to reflect on a happy moment of your own childhood. Let the feelings and memories surface as much as possible…

As you do this, ask Jesus to show you something about your own childlike innocence, and how it is still deeply resident within you…