His
disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto Him,
and said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them
not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you,
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child
shall in no wise enter therein. Luke, Chapter 18, verses 15-17.
As
an elementary school teacher, it never ceases to amaze me how sweet,
trusting and honest little children are. It seems some get corrupted
as they grow up and become cynical by the ways of the world, media
and life, in general.
In
the early grades the children would play with almost any other person
that was willing to play with them. They generally got along well
with everyone except for little squabbles, regardless of ethnicity or
any other factor. Nearing the intermediate grades, these same groups
of children would no longer associate with some of the children that
they used to consider their best friends. They seemed to group
themselves by ethnicity and other factors like income. I think Jesus
wants us to be “Uncorrupted Christians” who generally get along
well with others, regardless of ethnicity or any other factor.
Here
is a related passage:
*Then
were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His
hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them, But Jesus
said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me:
for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And He laid His hands on them
and departed thence. Matthew, Chapter 19, verses 13-15.
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.
