God's Kingdom Belongs to KidsSample

Day Seven: Grace in God’s Kingdom

Let’s go back to the words of Jesus that we started with: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” The tricky thing about Jesus’ teaching is that the longer we live in the world, the more chances we’ve had for childlike maturity to be a challenge for us. We have real wounds in our past that give way to real self-pity. We have real dreams for our future that give way to real self-will. We have actually achieved a few things and we like the feeling and crave more of it. So, we keep on going the way the world says to.

Do you want God’s grace or the world’s ways to shape the defining moments of your life? Childlike maturity is an invitation to unlearn all the survival instincts that have been taught us by the world and, then, relearn the joyous reception that was born into us when we stepped into this world. 

Jesus closes this teaching with, “And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” We can make peace with the unconcealed flaws and weaknesses of a child because of God’s grace in Jesus. If we’ve received our true identity and are building our life on him, then we can graciously make room for other people. We can extend that same grace to one another. So, here's an amazing truth: greatness in the kingdom of God is about receiving and giving grace. 

God is ready to reveal to the world what grace looks like: people daring enough to live this day like it’s the only one that matters, wild enough to see the world through eyes of wonder, and humble enough to receive from God with joy. 

Are you ready for a change? The word translated “change” is the same word translated as repent. That’s a word we don’t use much outside of church, but it simply means to confess and lay something down and, then, turn around and go the other way. Go toward Jesus, who says,  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

The invitation is before you; God’s kingdom. You have finished this reading plan with the joy of a child because you’ve let go of all you’ve been holding onto instead of welcoming Jesus.  Accept God's invitation because it is good and present.

Reflection: Why do we hang on to our self-made burdens and reject the grace of Jesus?

Prayer: "God, I confess I really want other people to think that I have it together. Take that pride from me today and replace it with childlike maturity. I want to know Jesus."