Matthew 18:2-4New International Version (NIV)

² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

This past Sunday one of the men in our church brought to me his five little grandchildren. The youngest lay asleep in his arms as they were heading home. He and his wife were joy filled as they were spending time with their grandchildren.

My mind went to Matthew 18 as he left me. How do young children come to adults? They come in weakness, vulnerability, and neediness. Jesus says, “I want you to come to me in the same manner, with your weaknesses, your vulnerabilities, and your neediness.”

I do not know about you, but I do not like to show weakness. I do not want people, especially men, to see I am vulnerable. Being needy sends me running. Men do not like to show any of these traits.

Yet, the Apostle Paul hits on it in 2 Corinthians 4 and 12. God’s power is made perfect in my weakness. Jesus’ power dwells in my in my manifest weakness. In my weakness, Christ’s power is shown. When I am weak, then I am strong.

How far do we go in showing weakness. For many, including me, I show weakness as long as it is safe. In my secret moments, I sense I fall short of what Jesus asks of me. The bottom line is this. It takes courage to show weakness.

Let us all sit in the thought of what it means to come as a child.

Strength and Courage

Michael