Trust Like a Child

Jesus had a plan for evangelizing the world. It started small and grew. He began by gathering 12 disciples around him. But from time to time in Scripture, we can see that he has many more who he calls disciples as well. His plan does not include ‘Lone Rangers’ but rather has people working together. In this case, he sent out 72, “two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” Luke 10:1 They were preparing the way for Jesus to preach. That preparation included, “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’” Luke 10:9

These are not the chosen 12, but others who the Lord sent. Yet, they are able to heal the sick and tell them about the kingdom of God. They “returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” Luke 10:17 And Jesus says, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.” Luke 10:18 This is exciting news. Jesus has extended his kingdom servants, and yes, in his name people are healed and demons submit to them. So I wonder why we see so little of this today. What has changed that healing and casting out of demons are uncommon even among believers?

There may be a clue in Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving upon the return of the 72 evangelists. “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’” Luke 10:21-22

Maybe the problem we have today is that we are too “wise and learned”. Because of our great knowledge about things, we can no longer see demons that need casting out or healing that God wants to do. We spend so much time getting educational degrees in theology and medicine that we miss the pure and simple ways of Jesus. We think too hard about things and miss the point that Jesus is making a good deal of the time. We run to the doctor at the first sign of illness. We want the healing, but we forget that Jesus is coming to teach more about his kingdom. We want to take the stage when a healing occurs and point to ourselves instead of to the coming King. God cannot be glorified when we are busy glorifying ourselves.

Children are often awed by loving adults. They run to meet them and bound into their arms. They believe that these adults can do nothing wrong and would never do anything to hurt them. When an adult has that kind of devotion from a child, they can teach them many things because the child is eager to learn from them. I don’t think it is an accident that God reveals things to little children. 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 19:14 It seems that until we can learn to trust God as children trust, we will miss much of what he has to offer to us.

God, help me to put aside the wise and jaded thinking that comes from education and wrong interpretations of life experiences and to instead trust you totally and completely – like a child.