And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “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.” (Matthew 18:2-4, ESV)
Are children humble?
Babies, sure. But the child Jesus spoke of was not a baby. In Luke we read, “He took the child and had him stand by his side.”
I’ve had quite a bit of up-close interaction with children, having three of my own and eight grandchildren. I’ve noticed I never had to train them to say No! or to act stubborn.
So what are we to understand Jesus meant when he said, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”?
Immediately I think of dependence. The child depends upon his parent for his daily food and shelter… has no problem trusting his parent.
Second, genuineness. The child has no pretense. Isn’t trying to impress. Is content to be just who he is.
Though a king, Jesus lived in total dependence on the Father. He said, “I can do nothing of myself…” (John 5:19). He was genuine to the core. He began life like you and me, a baby, grew as a normal child and became the greatest person who has ever lived. He said, “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less.” (Matthew 5:5, The Message)
What is it that people love about Bubba Watson?
Isn’t it because he’s just himself? No more, no less. Isn’t it because he plays golf the way he thinks he can best do it?
I loved what he said on Dave Letterman’s show the Tuesday after he won at Augusta. He strode in wearing his green jacket, open-collared shirt and hair flopping on his forehead. After getting seated and a brief greeting, Letterman asked him, “How would you describe your personal style of play?”
Bubba paused all of 5/10th of a second…
“Awesome.”
Letterman reared back in his chair and cackled like his favorite fan. After recovering, he said, “After awesome, what?”
“Bubba golf.”
Isn’t there something awesome about someone who is truly themselves?
Would to God that there were more of us, his followers, who were as genuine as little children. And, cared to be nothing other than the person God created us to be.
—
Jim Hiskey
April 25, 2012
Copyright © 2012 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday through Friday and is archived by passage and topic at www.linksplayers.com.