More Work Of Children

As we continue to receive more and ponder with greater depth into what is being shown to us, regarding the work of little children, in the eyes of Jesus, we are reminded of what Jesus said about Himself and work. We find it most interesting, the way in which Jesus marries together His food with His work. Understand, equating food and work is nothing new or strange to us, for we say that if a man does not work he will not eat. These were also Paul’s expressed sentiments to the believers in Thessalonica, when he brought this rule before them, to help curb some of the growing idleness creeping in among believers. If a man will not work, he shall not eat. 2 Thessalonians 3: 10b. 

Jesus’ disciples, knowing that their Master was tired and hungry, went into town, and got Him food. When they returned with the food, they urged Him to eat. However, Jesus’ reply was most strange to them. He told them that He had food to eat which they knew nothing about. Right then and there, they began to speculate, whether someone else had brought Him food. Jesus calmly explained this to them. My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. John 4: 34. Whatever else Jesus is saying, one thing for sure, about which we cannot argue, is that the most essential thing for Him, and all children of the Father, is doing His will and finishing His work. Armed with this faith-renewing information, with even greater resolve to follow the modelled path of little children, we head straight into more of what the work of little children is, as revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Having previously noted that:-

The work of little children is in being themselves.   

The work of little children is in modelling humility.

Here are the others. 

The work of little children is in showing us Jesus.

Our third observation lets us know that little children are not just vulnerable, but they can be very much out of the disciplined purview, expectations and lawfulness of the programmed adult. Children do not bother themselves with adult protocols and such like. For example, if, in the midst of the Church service, the little child gets restless and hungry, he or she will ask for something to eat and will not be pacified until food is provided. Or it may be that a little child is now learning to recognize things and will call it out, regardless of present company. These spontaneous, innocent actions of little children, who speak what they see and hear, without fear, are frowned upon by many. Yet, Jesus says that all who, in His Name, welcome children, welcome Him. Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

The work of the little child is to provide us with daily opportunities to welcome Jesus, through each one of them.

The work of little children is in living Jesus’ truth.  

Our fourth and final observation, is most forceful and unrelenting. Any little one who believes in Jesus, and lives in His upheld humility, believes in Jesus the Truth. When, because of their innocence and dependence on others, a person leads them astray, Jesus minces no words in describing their end. He is upfront in letting us know that these little children can be led into sin. By their very trusting, innocent nature, they are easy prey for unscrupulous persons. However, Jesus clearly, bluntly and openly presents the indescribable, unmentionable and unfathomable, sheer living hell for such an offender. It is so horrendous that Jesus says that, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. The work of the little child is to be the innocence of Jesus, which will show the truth of who people really are, friend or foe.

It seems, doesn’t it, that we have gone far ahead of and away from where we were going, but have we really?

We conclude tomorrow.