I use to be a story teller. I could spin a yarn with the best of them. Woven with bloated experiences peppered with drama and excitement. They would keep the hearer on the edge of their seat with anticipation. The next minute, they’d bring tear-filled laughter. I could hush a crowd. You could hear a pin drop. I could whip the emotions into a teary heart felt response. Most of the time my stories began, “Once, when I was eight.”

There is something about youthful stories that capture the attention of people. Whether it is a shared experience of like manner or living vicariously through the story-teller. Everyone, has something about their childhood they can see or hear in others. We all have moments when we think, “if I had only done this or that when I was younger.” Just fill in the blank, you know it’s true.

Even in the worst of circumstances kids are full of hope and faith. They see the good, they hope for the best. Sure, they can be greedy, and selfish, all on their own. Inner traits that all humans have, yet still their innocence always brings them to hope and faith. They can, if fostered well, exhibit both compassion and kindness. They can forgive easily and move on as if nothing happened. Their love is unconditional, until they learn conditional traits.

Yahoshua on occasion used the idea of children to teach others how to live. In Matthew we have two passages that highlight this idea. Let’s look at these two instances, Matthew 18:3-4 and Matthew 19:13-15. Let’s start with Matthew 19. Here the scene is one we are all familiar with. You are around friends and you are having a discussion. Suddenly, the kids begin to interrupt the conversation whether by intention or just youthful exuberance. You or someone becomes annoyed and tells them to go and play someplace else, or to quiet down. In this instance people were bringing the kids to Yahoshua and upsetting the disciples hearing of their teacher.

“Then children were brought to Him that He might pray for them. The disciples rebuked the people. Yahoshua said, “Let the little children come to me. Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And He prayed for the children before departing.”

What was Yahoshua trying to say here? Simply, that we must have the heart of a child. They are hungry to learn and grow. I don’t mean classroom learning, although some kids thrive there. The learning I am talking about is life learning. Watching and learning, listening and learning, then exhibiting the behaviors learned. They are like sponges. We can see this by another analogy He uses in Matthew 9:17. “Neither is new wine put into old wine-skins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wine-skins, and so both are preserved.” The idea here was simply the need for a willing heart. To receive this deeper fuller understanding of the instructions of Elohim.

This lifestyle of Yahoshua wasn’t predicated on the letter of the law but the spirit behind it. As Micah 6:8 describes. “He has told you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you? You must do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your Elohim.” In short, act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. This was the point of the Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder. Whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” This word for angry can also be translated as ‘hates.’ Anyone hating his brother, or fellow man, is liable as unto murder.

This lifestyle understanding of the instruction of Elohim was new wine and needed a fresh perspective. This is why Yahoshua desired so much that we the hearers of His word approach it with childlike faith. Which brings us to Matthew 18:3-4. Here, Yahoshua is asked about the greatest in the Kingdom. Isn’t like humanity to always want to know or to see or to be the greatest? Paul eludes to this when he talks about being content in all situations and circumstances. Let’s look at Yahoshua’s response.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

What was it that Yahoshua was saying? He was simply saying, that like a child is dependent upon his mother and father, we too should be dependent. This is the way of the Rabbi. We should receive instruction from the Father like sponges. We should walk in humbleness, in hope, and in faith. We should be quick to forgive others. We should be playful and inquisitive. We should desire the fellowship of family. We should love Yahweh our Elohim with all our heart, soul and strength. If we love Him, we will obey Him. We will seek to be pleasing to Him. Like a kid trying to make his mom breakfast on mother’s day, we should seek ways to serve Him. Even if we don’t know everything or have all the skills, simply find a place to serve. Serve others, love your neighbor as yourself.

“And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with Elohim. Through our Adonai Yahoshua Messiah. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of Elohim. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings. Knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character. Moreover, character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame. Because Elohim’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

This is the way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj