He says that the kingdom will be occupied by those who "become as little children." In Mark 10:14 Jesus tells His disciples, in speaking of children, that "of such is the kingdom of God." Now, we can't turn back time and regress in age, can we? So, what's Jesus trying to get across to His listeners here? Probably one of the easiest explanations of His point is found in 1 Cor. 14:20 where it reads, "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men."
The word "malice" simply means "meanness" or "evil intent." A child isn't born with those qualities, they learn them. Jesus is telling us that Christians are to possess those qualities of children in their adult personalities. To lose their ideas of "hatred," of "harmful intentions," of "getting even" from their manner of life.
That, to me is why children are such great examples and teachers to us "old folks." Why we can just watch them and listen to them and learn great lessons. For the rest of today's editorial, I'd like to relate a couple of stories to you, inspired by the actions of kids. One is a personal experience and the other written by a nurse at Stanford Hospital. I hope you benefit from them as much as I did.
First is my personal experience. As most of you know, last week I had to visit the dentist's office. Having avoided this trip for several years, I definitely wasn't looking forward to it as I knew that they would have a "field day" with me. I complained loud and long to anyone who I thought would care and of course, received no sympathy. Especially from my wife who simply told me I should have done it a long time ago and if I had I wouldn't have to be so worried. So, I buckled down and went dutifully to the dental office at the appointed time.
Oh, I put on a brave front when called to "my cubicle" and wouldn't you know it, right behind me came two little girls about 6 & 7 years old. They put one in the cubicle on the right of me and the other on the left, about 2 cubicles away. Their mother was with them and had to keep going back and forth between the two to try and keep them calm and unafraid. She should have forgot about them and concentrated on me, because they were doing just fine. I was the one doing everything I could to NOT think about that gigantic needle about to be stuck in my gums and the high-speed drill going to work.
The girl on my right never made a peep, even when the dentist gave her "the needle." Being the brave adult that I am, and having already had my needle, I was going to look over and reassure her that everything would be fine. When I looked over to my right, she just looked right back at me and smiled and waved. I think she knew who needed reassuring. But, it was her sister that provided all the strength and reassurance a person could ever need.
The dentist apparently had several patients in various stages of work during this time, and myself and both the little girls were in a waiting stage. I was just about numb enough to start the drilling and was again getting that nervous feeling, when the neatest thing occurred and I forgot all about my coming ordeal. From my left, a couple of cubicles away, came the sweet voice of a little girl singing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. . ."
For a moment you could hear a pin drop. You could hear loud sighs from other cubicles and then one of the assistants started singing with her. There is no way that I can adequately describe the feeling that came over that entire office when that little girl started singing. Isaiah said in Isa. 11:6, ". . . and a little child shall lead them." Jesus said, in reference to an Old Testament passage, these words in Matt. 21:16, ". . . out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise." Can a little child lead them and can children perfect praise? You bet they can!
Our closing story involves the courage of children, along with their unwavering faith. A little girl was in Stanford Hospital, suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance for recovery would be receiving a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother. See, he had survived that same disease, therefore he had developed the antibodies necessary to defeat it.
Well, the doctor sat him down and explained the situation as best he could to a 5 year old, and then asked him if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. The teller of this story was present during this conversation, and said the little boy hesitated for just a minute and then said, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liza."
They set everything up and started the transfusion, with the two kids laying side-by-side in their beds. The boy looked at his sister and smiled at her and all could see the color returning to her face as the transfusion progressed. The little boy then turned back to the doctor and his smile faded away. With a trembling voice he asked, "Will I start to die right away?"
Being only 5 years old, he never really understood what the doctor had told him and thought that he was giving his sister "all of his blood." The nurse was later asked about the courage it takes to do her job and she replied that she had "learned courage" having had "inspiring teachers."
Ron Covey
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