Lent - Day 29 - Children Show the Way

Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2025

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Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. 

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Matthew 19:13-30

It is a stunning contrast of two encounters. First, people bring infants to be blessed by Jesus. He declares that God’s reign is theirs, rebutting the disciples who did not want Jesus to be bothered by them. On the other hand, there is a young man who having “obeyed the laws,” is seen by the disciples as the example of one who has been saved by God. Jesus uses him as an object lesson to show all of humanity’s inability to garner access to the Kingdom. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For my ways are higher than your ways.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) We have our own thoughts as to what should grant a person access to the Father, to life, to eternity. We have our own ideas about how these determinations should be made and confidences should be instilled. Those thoughts become the lenses with which we view the world, ourselves, others, and God. But Jesus makes it very clear that these infants in their helplessness are the picture of God’s reigning work. 

For with man, salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible. When Jesus declares a child has been saved, when Jesus declares his disciples are saved, when Jesus declares you to be saved, when Jesus declares that I am saved, then it is absolutely so! Why? Because He and only He can accomplish such things. He does so through His divine wisdom and according to the good and gracious will of the Father. He accomplished it on the cross and declares it in our baptism.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, 

                  Continually work in us a child-like faith where our “grown-up” understandings do not impede our trust in the all-sufficient grace of Christ. Continue to establish Your saving faith in all people including all the little children. Amen.

* Gaining Entry

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

Matthew 3:13-17 NLT

One of the tasks at my day job is to make sure my people know about and meet a contract’s required certifications to do the work for a client. There are safety trainings and certifications, as well as various mandatory drug and alcohol tests, and each has to be renewed annually. Once approved, they are also subject to random drug tests to prove that they are still in compliance with the requirements for entry to the facility.  

There is usually a grace period, but once that's over, there are no excuses, no exceptions. The contract is there - it's specific about the requirements. It doesn't matter how much you think you know about it - or what you learned years ago. Have you done what is asked of you? If you want in, do what's required of you. When you do, then you get the stamp of approval that allows you into the facility. They'll wave you through the gate because your name is on the list.

It reminds me a little of the requirements to gain access to heaven. It doesn't matter if you're a "good guy." It's not about what you know or how long you've known it. The only way to gain entry is through the Blood of Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us that no one gets to the Father, except through Him [Jesus]. It's about training - aligning ourselves with the Word. It's about keeping the training current. 

Luke 9:23 NKJV tells us, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 

1st John 2:23b-25, ...But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

In other words, when you do, you get the Father's approval. Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life?

Prayer:

Father,

          Please notify us of the changes to be made in our lives, so that we fully comply with Your requirement of us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen