Childlike Faith – Luke 18:15-17

Tom Stuart has a nice article on the 7 Qualities of Childlike Faith.  It is trusting, transparent, carefree, insistent, spontaneous, imaginative, and joyful and he gives examples of each in biblical persons.  At theblazingcenter.com there is a similar list and a great statement, “Childlike faith is that which knows we don’t know, knows He does, and asks with the expectation that the answer He gives will be the right one. We can be confident that even in our weakness, God’s grace is sufficient. Childlike faith expects answers.”  Jesus pointed us to childlike faith as that which opens the door to the kingdom.

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”  (Luke 18:15-17 ESV)

The ESV Study Bible rightly notes, “Jesus’ attitude toward children contrasted significantly with that of other religious leaders in Judaism. In most ancient cultures children were regarded as a burden until they were physically strong enough to contribute to the family. The phrase, “For to such belongs” does not mean children automatically belong to the kingdom but that the kingdom belongs to “such”—that is, to those who possess childlike trust.”

We may also see this action on Jesus’ part as an evidence for the truthfulness of Christianity.  It values children.  But in addition it provides a way that anyone can find salvation.  Wouldn’t we expect that to be the case if God really loves us?  To make salvation dependent on works, as the Pharisee praying next to the tax collector did, means salvation is exclusive to the “strong.”  But to make salvation a matter of childlike faith makes it available to anyone.