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Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 13:14
The substitutionary death of Jesus on a cross, salvation, redemption, repentance, forgiveness of sin, these are not fun things. They have confounded theologians, but they are at the heart of Christianity. How can they be presented to children ages four to eleven? How can something so serious be presented in a forum in which joy and fun have reigned? I have learned my pastor is great at pumping up kids and making them scream and laugh and sing and dance; but can he make them understand, in any way at all, the death of God on a cross?
He can and he did. He (greatly aided by the Holy Spirit) was able to transform a sea of jumping, happy, children into a serious group of young faces. He told them the story of the sin of Paul before He was Christ’s. He explained to them how we all sin. He had them write or mark on little paper hands one thing they felt bad about, one sin. He had them personalize the nature of sin.
Then in quiet reverence each of these young ones came forward and one by one stuck their sin represented hands on a wooden cross. I stayed in my “tent” not to interfere, but also so that no one would notice the tears in my eyes. When they were all back in their places, with their family groups, he lead them in prayer asking Jesus into their hearts.
Were there “real” conversions? Did these young ones fully understand salvation, redemption and all the rest? Let me ask you this: when you first came to Jesus did you understand it all? Did you understand it at all? Do you fully understand it now? Do not hinder them.
I believe that of all the fun of the week, these kids will, years from now, most remember the quiet minutes, the little hands, and the hands filled wooden cross and the simple fact that Jesus died for them. That’s a wonderful thing.
Thanks Pastor Jason. Thanks Jesus. Christianity isn’t nearly as complicated as we old folks sometimes make it.
So be a follower even if you don’t understand it all and
Be blessed.
Nick
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