The Little Key That Unlocks The Kingdom
By Barry Adams
Matthew 11:25-26 25
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. NIV
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. NIV
In a world that celebrates the wise and the learned, this might not come as good news because Jesus declares that His Father actually hides the things of the Kingdom from those whom society honors the most. And to make this declaration even more offensive to our grown up intellect, Jesus goes on to say that the Father is absolutely delighted to reveal ‘these things’ to little children (nēpios) which means untaught, unskilled, wordless infants.
The gospel reality is that the pathway to Kingdom greatness is not achieved by working harder but by growing smaller in your heart. A dear friend, Jack Winter used to say, ‘The smaller we become, the bigger our Heavenly Father can become on our behalf’. My encouragement is to try not to understand these things through the paradigm of an adult mindset because if you do, it probably won’t make sense.
Just as Nicodemus couldn’t grasp the concept of being born again, (John 3:1-12) the 'big you' might find yourself frustrated by what you might consider an over simplification of God’s Kingdom. However, I truly believe there is still a little child inside of you who is waiting to be revealed to the world once again. And it is in this holy place in your heart where Jesus says the Kingdom dwells. (Luke 17:24)
Just as the life of a tree is revealed through every growth ring in it’s trunk, you are the summation of every life experience you have ever had. And it is in each one of these growth rings that your Heavenly Father wants to pour out His love again and again by His Spirit! (Romans 5:5)
Would you be willing to ask your Heavenly Dad to pour out His love into the beautiful places in your heart where the one year old in you is still alive and well? I believe that all of heaven’s resources are ready, willing and able to reveal the Father’s amazing Kingdom that Jesus said His Father is delighted to give us! (Luke 12:32) All we have to do is to receive this Kingdom just like a little child would!
Luke 18:15-17
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” NIV
The gospel reality is that the pathway to Kingdom greatness is not achieved by working harder but by growing smaller in your heart. A dear friend, Jack Winter used to say, ‘The smaller we become, the bigger our Heavenly Father can become on our behalf’. My encouragement is to try not to understand these things through the paradigm of an adult mindset because if you do, it probably won’t make sense.
Just as Nicodemus couldn’t grasp the concept of being born again, (John 3:1-12) the 'big you' might find yourself frustrated by what you might consider an over simplification of God’s Kingdom. However, I truly believe there is still a little child inside of you who is waiting to be revealed to the world once again. And it is in this holy place in your heart where Jesus says the Kingdom dwells. (Luke 17:24)
Just as the life of a tree is revealed through every growth ring in it’s trunk, you are the summation of every life experience you have ever had. And it is in each one of these growth rings that your Heavenly Father wants to pour out His love again and again by His Spirit! (Romans 5:5)
Would you be willing to ask your Heavenly Dad to pour out His love into the beautiful places in your heart where the one year old in you is still alive and well? I believe that all of heaven’s resources are ready, willing and able to reveal the Father’s amazing Kingdom that Jesus said His Father is delighted to give us! (Luke 12:32) All we have to do is to receive this Kingdom just like a little child would!
Luke 18:15-17
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” NIV