Mouths of Babes - May 2005

Picture from Nagc.com

This week’s post is short, not because it is a small topic, but because it is a simple one and one that does not require a great amount of explanation and discussion after it is made. With that said...here we go.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 1:6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

We have all heard that statement - “Out of the mouths of babes comes wisdom” (rough paraphrase Psalms 8:2), so we want to explore that idea a bit this week. Have you ever noticed that when you work with small children at church, - be it Sunday School, VBS, Children’s church, or whatever - that they answer all your questions with the same answer - “Jesus”

You ask who saved them - Jesus. Who loves them - Jesus. Who wrote the Bible - Jesus. Who was in the Lion’s Den - Jesus. Who built the ark - Jesus. We as adults all know the right answer to the previous questions, or at least we should, but to many children every answer at church is Jesus. Now obviously Jesus did not write the Bible (though He was around when it was done), Jesus was not in the Lion’s Den (at least not physically), and Jesus did not build the Ark (but He was involved in the planning). Our point is that though Jesus may not be the answer to all our questions directly, indirectly He is. Kids are giving us the right answers, we are just too focused on the obvious and direct answers that we are missing the true wisdom of their answers.

Jesus is the answer. He is the answer to our sin problem. He is the answer to our depression and loneliness. He is the answer to our goals planning. He is the answer to our financial questions. He is the answer to our time management issues. He is the answer to our anger and rage issues. He is the answer to our grudges. He is the answer to our career path. He is the answer to our family and marital issues. He is even the answer to our retirement plans. Jesus was completely man when He walked the earth. He was tempted and tried in every way we are, the difference is that Jesus did not sin. Christ has overcome this earthly life of sin. He conquered death, Hell, and the grave and in the process overcame the grasp that Satan had on our lives. After doing all of this Jesus is still active and working. Jesus is now, currently, at this very moment, sitting at the right hand of God intervening for us. He hears our prayers, He knows our needs, He has a plan, and He knows the way. Jesus is the answer.

The Bible is clear, lean not on your own understanding but in all things trust and follow God (TS paraphrase - Proverbs 3:5-6). The key component to trusting and following Christ in all things is making Jesus the answer to all your concerns, worries, and cares. Many would say that is simple minded, and childlike. The truth is they are absolutely right, it is childlike and that is why we are told humble ourselves and come to Christ like a child - completely open and trusting.

Matthew 18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Stop running to the answers that the world gives you, and beginning looking for the answers that come from God. To do that will require you throwing off the complexity of life and coming to God like a child. A child does not worry about how they appear to others, they are not worried about how their neighbors think about them, they are not worried about what the boss says, or any of the other excuses we put up to keep us from living for God. Children simply want to be loved, cared for, and touched. Children want to be near and close to those that love them as well. Christ wants you to have those same desires when it comes to a relationship with Him. He wants you to desire His love, His affection, His touch, His closeness and His attention. He wants you to truly follow after Him with all your life. Seek Him, learn from Him, trust Him, follow Him, and be blessed by Him. In the end, the answer is simple - Jesus.

-----------------------

For Fun here is a link to a web site that shares some other “children wisdom” with the world - http://www.humormatters.com/babes.html

Return to Main May Page		Open Team Swap Main Page In New Window
	Picture from Nagc.com This week’s post is short, not because it is a small topic, but because it is a simple one and one that does not require a great amount of explanation and discussion after it is made. With that said...here we go. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. We have all heard that statement - “Out of the mouths of babes comes wisdom” (rough paraphrase Psalms 8:2), so we want to explore that idea a bit this week. Have you ever noticed that when you work with small children at church, - be it Sunday School, VBS, Children’s church, or whatever - that they answer all your questions with the same answer - “Jesus” You ask who saved them - Jesus. Who loves them - Jesus. Who wrote the Bible - Jesus. Who was in the Lion’s Den - Jesus. Who built the ark - Jesus. We as adults all know the right answer to the previous questions, or at least we should, but to many children every answer at church is Jesus. Now obviously Jesus did not write the Bible (though He was around when it was done), Jesus was not in the Lion’s Den (at least not physically), and Jesus did not build the Ark (but He was involved in the planning). Our point is that though Jesus may not be the answer to all our questions directly, indirectly He is. Kids are giving us the right answers, we are just too focused on the obvious and direct answers that we are missing the true wisdom of their answers. Jesus is the answer. He is the answer to our sin problem. He is the answer to our depression and loneliness. He is the answer to our goals planning. He is the answer to our financial questions. He is the answer to our time management issues. He is the answer to our anger and rage issues. He is the answer to our grudges. He is the answer to our career path. He is the answer to our family and marital issues. He is even the answer to our retirement plans. Jesus was completely man when He walked the earth. He was tempted and tried in every way we are, the difference is that Jesus did not sin. Christ has overcome this earthly life of sin. He conquered death, Hell, and the grave and in the process overcame the grasp that Satan had on our lives. After doing all of this Jesus is still active and working. Jesus is now, currently, at this very moment, sitting at the right hand of God intervening for us. He hears our prayers, He knows our needs, He has a plan, and He knows the way. Jesus is the answer. The Bible is clear, lean not on your own understanding but in all things trust and follow God (TS paraphrase - Proverbs 3:5-6). The key component to trusting and following Christ in all things is making Jesus the answer to all your concerns, worries, and cares. Many would say that is simple minded, and childlike. The truth is they are absolutely right, it is childlike and that is why we are told humble ourselves and come to Christ like a child - completely open and trusting. Matthew 18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Stop running to the answers that the world gives you, and beginning looking for the answers that come from God. To do that will require you throwing off the complexity of life and coming to God like a child. A child does not worry about how they appear to others, they are not worried about how their neighbors think about them, they are not worried about what the boss says, or any of the other excuses we put up to keep us from living for God. Children simply want to be loved, cared for, and touched. Children want to be near and close to those that love them as well. Christ wants you to have those same desires when it comes to a relationship with Him. He wants you to desire His love, His affection, His touch, His closeness and His attention. He wants you to truly follow after Him with all your life. Seek Him, learn from Him, trust Him, follow Him, and be blessed by Him. In the end, the answer is simple - Jesus. ----------------------- For Fun here is a link to a web site that shares some other “children wisdom” with the world - http://www.humormatters.com/babes.html