Kids and God's Kingdom

Faith Center hosted our annual Vacation Bible School at Willow Springs Apartments this past week.  It was great.  All kinds of kids from our church and neighborhood showed up to learn about Jesus.

On the second night, I watched as the event got started.  Kids who didn’t know each other shyly made their way to their seat.  They were reserved and reluctant to talk with other kids as they waited for VBS to begin.  But, when the program fired up and worship leaders encouraged them to sing songs to Jesus, the kids jumped right in.  They celebrated without hesitation, following fun hand motions.  It was neat to watch. 

I was struck by how quickly those kids responded.  That isn’t how we respond in Sunday morning services.  In adult worship services, we are a little more reserved.  I mean…our reputations are at stake.  We don’t want to be too enthusiastic about Jesus.  We might get labeled a religious nut.  We don’t want to respond too quickly.  We might appear desperate.  As a result, we button down the celebration. 

In the Gospel of Luke, people brought children to Jesus so that he could bless them.  Jesus’ disciples didn’t like it and reprimanded the Lord.  In response, Jesus invited the kids anyway, using them as an example of devotion to God.  Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

As you worship this morning, sing, shout, clap your hands, and stomp your feet for Jesus.  Do not hesitate to celebrate the Lord.  The smallest people in the building are giving us a great example and we should take it seriously.  Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.