Faith Like a Child

Summer has been going on for a while now. For those who are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even older siblings to a little one who is still in school, we know that this means that you are seeing them around more often...

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 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 18:1-4, ESV).

...As you interact with your grandchildren, children, nieces, and nephews you will likely hear a lot of questions, and — perhaps — one of the questions you will hear is “why?” It is a simple question, but behind it is a world of wonder. “Why?” It is a question that opens up doors to the world for children. And it may help us understand what Jesus means by “whoever humbles himself like this little child…”

In our text today, the disciples are bickering about, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” They are proud and asking a question because each one is convinced that they are right, and they want Jesus to confirm them in the “knowledge” they already have. And so, Jesus tells them to be more like a child, to ask questions like children, to have more wonder at the world, and to be more humble when approaching Jesus.

You see, often when we read the words “faith like a child” we assume that means “simplistic faith”, “unquestioning faith” or “faith that stays in the basics.” But that’s not how children act or think. Children are always asking questions, always seeking to know more. When children ask questions, they are trying to learn and to grow in their understanding of the world. However, there is a difference between how children tend to ask questions and how adults tend to ask questions.

We, adults, often ask questions because we want to trip someone up, see how much they truly know, or show that we already know the answer anyway. An example of that “adult” kind of questioning is the lawyer who asked Jesus “Who is my neighbor?” We read that the great student of God’s Law was just looking for a way to justify himself (Lk 10:29). He wanted to show that he is not guilty, that he is innocent, and that he is doing pretty well on his own without any help from Jesus or anyone else. His question is not one based on wonder or a desire to know more, but on pride and on thinking that he has all the answers on his own anyway.

But often when children ask questions it is because they have wonder and curiosity about the world. Child-like faith, then, is faith that seeks understanding because it stands before God in humility and wonder rather than in pride and cynicism. To those who approach God with humility, with a desire to know more, and with wonder at the majesty and glory of God, God will grant His wisdom as James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5 ESV).

There is a second aspect of having “child-like faith.” Little children rely on their parents to provide for them, to give them a house, to provide meals and cook for them, to read to them, to take them places, and to love them. Children, in other words, live life in receptivity. They receive all that they need from their parents. In a similar way, the Christian faith is a faith of receptivity. We receive all that we need for this earthly life and for eternal life: forgiveness, God as our Father, Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit residing in us, the Word of God, and the sacraments as gifts. We receive these things without having earned them as the Father gives them to us out of His goodness and mercy. The disciples were bickering trying to earn their place in God’s kingdom, but Jesus was teaching them that their lives of faith begin with grace: God’s unearned favor. How often do we think we have to “earn” something? How often do we feel like we have to “prove” ourselves? When Jesus calls us to child-like faith, He is telling us that God’s love for us is given freely, and we receive it by faith — trust in Him!

So, what can we learn from this?

First, I think today’s text teaches us to be humble and to be okay with asking questions. We may not always get an answer, but faith is something that is always seeking understanding and trying to grow. If we want to have “faith like a child” then it will involve approaching the Bible and the Divine Service with humility, wonder, and a constant desire to know more.

Secondly, we are called to have child-like faith that is always seeking to know more because we stand in wonder at the glory of God. Child-like faith imitates Jesus who spent time in His Father’s [God’s] house speaking with Him (Luke 2:41-52). And when we seek to grow in our faith, we draw closer and closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus. May we never grow tired of learning more about our Lord, and may the Lord Jesus fill us with a deeper wonder and appreciation for the Gospel of our salvation in Him!

That also means that when we have opportunities to share our faith, we should be happy to hear people ask questions. Why? Because questions show engagement, and a desire to learn more, and are an opportunity to learn with the individual! Not having all the answers is not a weakness, it is a strength because it shows we are humble, willing to admit a lack of knowledge, and growing in our faith just like everyone else.

Finally, child-like faith is receptive. The disciples tried to prove who was the greatest. Perhaps they thought they were great because of their knowledge, because of their devotion, or because of their good works. But our greatness in God’s kingdom does not come from our knowledge, strength, or abilities. Our greatness in God’s kingdom comes from being called to faith by the Gospel, our greatness comes from being washed in the waters of holy baptism, forgiven by the Lord, and receiving this good news day in and day out. We do not “earn” our greatness in God’s eyes. In fact, our greatness is a gift. Our greatness in God’s kingdom is found in the God who became a human child, fulfilled the law for us, died, and rose again. In other words, just as children receive what they need from their parents, so Christians receive what we need for our daily and spiritual life from our heavenly Father.

Let us pray: O God our Father, fountain, and source of every good gift. Give us humble and child-like hearts filled with wonder at the world, You, and Your Holy Word so that we may desire to learn more about Jesus and may — with the help of the Holy Spirit — grow in our lives of faith. Remind us also of Your boundless grace and love for us, which we receive from Your generous hand, not because of any merit or worthiness in us, but solely out of Your Fatherly love, the love that You demonstrate to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Shalom,

Pastor Peiser

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Download Our Latest Newsletter