Children and Jesus and Welcoming

Jesus was impressed with children. Not because they knew how to do cartwheels, but because they approached the world without pretense, and accepted others at face value. In Matthew 18, Jesus calls a little child to him and says “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." More than that, Jesus said in verse 5, "And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." Now, that is a big deal -- welcoming Jesus, personally,

in the act of welcoming "such a child" -- so perhaps paying attention to people is important!

"Welcome," of course, referred to full Middle Eastern family fellowship and acceptance. It's the same thought Jesus used in Matt. 10:40-42. A slightly different form of the same Greek word is used in Acts 18:27 to describe churches "welcoming" Apollos as a trusted teacher and friend -- opening up their hearts and letting him into their lives.

And regardless of Greek words, we are welcoming Jesus himself, in the form of another person. That's pretty important, don't you think?

Well then, how do we welcome someone "as Jesus"? By being humble and open, ourselves, to the constant presence of Christ in us, through the Holy Spirit. He is also present to the other person, even if they don't know him yet, so when we meet someone else, we can learn to be humble and open to the presence of Jesus in them too. Then, by welcoming that other person we know we are welcoming him!

Unless we plan to keep Jesus at arm's length, we shouldn't be keeping his other children away either, should we? I think that's why Paul says we should "accept one another, as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory" in Romans 15:7. The more we love and accept others, the more the love of God is spread, and the more people will see that love, and "change and become like little children." What do you think?