What did Jesus mean when he told us we needed to become like little children? Little children, of all people! What do we know that adults don’t?  Or maybe, it’s what we don’t know. . . What bad experiences hasn’t tainted their little hearts towards caring about others.  Let me illustrate with a story.

Once there was a brand-new teacher who really wanted to help kids who struggled with school, so she started her first class by saying, “Everyone who thinks they are stupid, please stand up!”  Most of the kids wiggled in their seats for a bit and finally, little Johnny stood up.  The teacher wanted to help so bad and asked, “Do you think you’re stupid, Johnny?”  

“No, ma’am,” Johnny replied, “but I hated to see you standing there all by yourself!“  Sometimes it’s funny how kids and adults see things from such different perspectives.  For example, I really enjoy playing video games, while my folks don’t even know how to hold a joy-stick.  

Jesus was the kind of guy who saw things from new perspectives, and I’ll bet it was shocking when he said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

Become like little children!  Little children. . . Isn’t it wonderful how open their hearts are!  How they love just for love’s sake and not to try and gain something.  Isn’t it refreshing when they use their imaginations to dream and dream big!  

Little children don’t have hardened hearts, nor do they tend to hold grudges or hold biases. They are always willing and wanting to see the best in other people.  They are trusting and open to receiving.

Just think of Johnny in our story; How Johnny stood up because he didn’t want his teacher to feel bad all by herself.  At that moment he took action and did what he could to reach out and help someone else.

Perhaps today we can be more like Johnny, more like a little child in one simple way. . . What if we simply thought of someone who needed help or encouragement.  And then we simply do whatever we can do to help. This little step might even be more helpful for us, than it is for others.