#112 Luke 18:15-17 Jesus and The Little Children

On February 26, 2023 by Amy Burgin

Joy:
Episode #112 Luke 18:15-17

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you are here! I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.

Amy:
Christgazing, kind of like stargazing, is the act of looking steadily and intently at Jesus. This podcast makes room for that. Amid a world of many words, we make space for the God-breathed Words, the best words, the ones that rightly comfort, correct, and lead us. Each week we read a portion of scripture several times and create stillness after each reading so we might also be still and know God more.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before we read today, take time to share your heart with God. We do this each week; we pour out our hearts to God. As we do, we may expose a lie we believe, and so we make room for God to exchange it with the truth. We may expose a division in a relationship, and so we make room for God to exchange that with unity. We expose the things which distract us, so God has room to redirect us. We expose areas where we are discouraged, so God can encourage us. So take time to give God your thoughts, your hurts, fears, questions, and concerns in this next minute.

[Pause and pour out your heart to God]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
I’m going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, What does this say about God?

Luke 18:15-17 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Again?

Take a minute to be still and consider the question: What does this say about God?

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy: As I reread the passage, consider a different question, What does this say about people?

Take the next few moments to answer the question, What does this tell us about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy: As I read for the last time, ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?” If it helps, put yourself in the narrative.

Take the next minute to ask God, Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward Jesus today and know him more.

One Response

Amy:
Hebrews 11:6 comes to mind. It says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Why is it impossible to please God without faith? Because what pleases God is for his people to come to him like little children.

A child playing on a wooden playground gets a splinter. They run to their good mother or father with the full expectation their parent can help.

A teenage son knocks on his good parent’s door late at night, knowing he can sob in their arms and find rest, comfort, and safety without getting grilled.

A daughter in college comes home for the weekend, seeking her father’s office hours because she knows he can teach her better than her professor can.

A married daughter’s husband is out of town, so she texts her parents, wondering what’s for dinner.

And each time, this good parent is pleased, thrilled even. Why? Because a parent wants nothing more than to be there for their children and to be with their children.

Parents are made in the image of God. God wants us to come to him. If we believe he exists, he’s good, and he rewards us with exactly what we need when we seek him out, then, and only then, is he pleased. Why? Because God is a good father and wants nothing more than to be there for his children and for his children to be with him.

Closing

Amy:
You can find a transcript of this episode and all our episodes at amyburgin.com. We will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.