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“Come a little closer. A little more. A little bit more.”
Standing on the edge of the pool, worry creasing his little face, doubt beginning to edge into his mind.
“I’ll catch you, I promise. I won’t let you go.”
Should he trust me? That’s the thought that kept running through his mind.
“Witten, you’re safe with me. Just trust me. If you jump, I promise, I’ll catch you.”
His eyes surveyed the water, contemplating the risk compared to the benefit.
“I love you, bud. Just trust me.”
And with that, he bounded off the side of the pool into my arms. His smile could have lit up a room. We cheered and celebrated, and all the while, I never let him go.
Luke 18:15-17
“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”
In the Jewish culture, it was the custom to bring children to a rabbi for a blessing. The people in the crowd were doing that with Jesus, as He was referred to as “rabbi” or “teacher”. But the disciples felt this was too small for Jesus to deal with. To them, He had bigger issues, little time, and was too important for something so small.
Jesus used every moment to teach and in this instance, He gave an example of faith.
Fully trust.
That’s what He meant by receiving the Kingdom of God as a child does.
Just like my nephew making the decision to trust me when he jumped. Children have to fully rely on their parents or other adults. They can’t do things on their own yet, and they have to trust them to take care of them. They reach up that little hand and follow you anywhere.
To come to faith in Christ, we have to do the same. We recognize we can’t do this on our own. We have to take that leap, trusting that Jesus will never let us go.
Maybe you need to hear those words again this morning to encourage you to take that step.
Jesus loves you.
John 3:16 is a verse many learn as children because it’s the gospel, the good news of what Jesus has done, in the simplest of terms.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
That’s the words you need to hear.
Jesus loves you.
And, He will never let you go.
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Will you trust Him?
Stop standing on the edge. Take that leap today.
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