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Gospel: Matthew 11: 25-27
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Why does Jesus insist upon “childlike” faith? What is it about children that is so important?
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Children have an implicit sense of trust. Whatever their parents tell them, they believe. A sense of skepticism only starts creeping into a child’s mind and heart once they begin interacting with the broader world.
These days, children hear all kinds of voices – not only from their parents – but also their peers, the television, the news, and social media.
Often these voices clash with the values and belief system instilled by a child’s parents, leading to a certain loss of innocence, and, in some cases, mistrust.
Slowly, children start wondering, “Who do I trust? How do I know what’s true?”
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What Jesus wants from us is that type of childlike faith that trusts implicitly. You might say, a type of faith that drowns out the negative and false voices of the world. As the Psalmist says, “Your Word is a lamp for our feet, and a light for our path.”
Do I have that type of “childlike” faith in the Lord, which is capable of drowning out doubt? How strongly does the Word of God influence my thoughts and actions?
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“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,” Jesus says, “for although you have hidden these things (the mysteries of God) from the wise and learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”
Regardless of our age and experience, may we never lose that ability to trust. The Lord will never lead us astray.
Haven’t you also found that to be true?
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Image credits: (1) Outreach Magazine (2) Wallpaper Cave (3) World Vision