❤️ First Love Weekly #21: Like a Child

The Bible is such a beautiful thing. No matter how many times I read it, there are things anew the Spirit enlightens in my heart to truly perceive God’s message.

It’s like a well of wisdom and encouragement that keeps on giving. Praise the Lord!

Three times in Mark, Jesus predicts his eventual death and resurrection to his disciples.

The second time he does so, he finds the disciples arguing amongst each other about who’s the greatest among them— supposedly to debate who is worthy of carrying on the baton. In response, Jesus says these famous words, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). These aren’t inconsequential words; he is flipping the script on what it means to be great.

Afterwards, Jesus makes a seeming random motion to bring a child near him and says, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the One who sent me” (Mark 9:36).

Skipping to Mark 10, as if the disciples did not hear a word Jesus said, when people try to bring children to be blessed, the disciples rebuke them, thereby frustrating Jesus. He then instructs them to let the children come and says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:14).

What is Jesus saying here? What’s the connection between being great, the last being the first, and children?

Last weekend, Mary and I went to the theatre to watch Inside Out 2, which revolves around the story of Riley, a teenager going through puberty. It is beautifully told, I must say, and the story left a strong impression in my heart of what being a child is like— before the concerns of this world encroach our joyful space.

For some reason, the movie reminded me of a wonderful 2-year old nephew of mine named Clay.

Clay is a pure ball of joy. He loves people and doggies without a hint of fear.

He recently stayed with us for a week. If you stroll him around the town, he’ll say hi to everyone that walks by him. Heck, he’ll even say hi towards cars even though nobody is inside! He also loves to run after “doggies” to give them big hugs like he found a long-lost puppy.

Everyone who interacts with Clay is showered with his uninhibited love and joy. I’d notice the looks on people’s faces when they interact with him. It’s as if a fairy sprinkled a basketful dust of joy— their often rigid and stressed looks would light up with big smiles and laughter.

What’s so cute about him above all is how much he desires to be loved by his parents, Jonny and Joy. When he’s happy, he checks to see if they’re looking. When he’s crying, he runs towards them to be comforted by them. When he’s sleepy, he waddles over and snugs into their arms. 

Thinking of Clay, and remembering how I used to be as a child myself, I think I understand what Jesus meant now.

Children aren’t worried about being the greatest or the next perfect 10-year plan. Instead, they trust their parents to guide them and love on them, and live their lives in freedom— so freely that they illuminate the people and the world around them.

Have you been inside a theatre full of kids? If you have, you know what I mean.

You and I, we often get so caught up on how to rule over our lives and the world around us.

But Jesus made it clear time and time again to surrender all to him (Matt. 16:24); to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first instead of worrying (Matt. 6:33-34); and to humble ourselves and cast our anxiety on him, because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:6-7).

Take a moment to picture yourself as a child— before you became conscious of others’ stares and the pressures of the world around you.

To God, we are His precious children. Hear these words of God for you, and let yourself feel His love:

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.”
Isaiah 43:4

Like a child, let us run into our Father’s arms on every occasion imaginable.

Soon enough, as if a day hasn’t gone by since our childhood, we may find ourselves shining with His light and inadvertently spreading His love around us.

With love,
Jae

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:3-5)