I caught an interview on PBS once featuring journalist Bill Moyers and theologian/historian Martin E. Marty. Marty is a distinguished scholar and prolific author; Moyers, of course, has received over 30 Emmy awards for his documentary work and has served in the administration of a couple U.S. Presidents. I tuned in, wondering what deep theological or political issue these two heavyweight ideologues were discussing. Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were talking about, of all things, children.
I enjoyed the exchange and the excerpts they highlighted from Dr. Marty’s book, The Mystery of the Child. The statement that most fascinated me was one articulated by Dr. Marty near the end of the session. He said, “The most challenging passage in all of Scripture was spoken by Jesus and recorded in Luke 18:19, ‘Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.'”
Children are often the most invisible members of a congregation. After all, children don’t contribute, they don’t help make decisions, they can be in the way, and sometimes they can be very noisy. How can young children possibly understand the things of God? Many churches give the impression that Christianity is rated “R” for mature audiences only.
But then you read the New Testament. Matthew tells of the occasion when a bunch of parents brought the little children to Jesus. The kids were all making a racket and coloring in the hymnals; and the disciples said, “Get the children out of here! We’re trying to have the kingdom!” Jesus said, “Leave the children alone; they are the kingdom!” (“Let the children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
– Matthew 19:14)
Really, you don’t even have to read the New Testament; you just have to look around Imagine Church these days to perceive the relationship between children and the kingdom of God. Much of the spiritual growth we’re realizing these days is being fueled by all that is happening in the hearts and lives of our children and youth. Having a church-full of children keeps us all thinking and acting young. I suspect almighty God has brought all these children into our midst because God yet has lessons for us all to learn.
Do you want to become all that God desires you to be? Then you’d better start spending some time with the children!
