The other day, my three-year-old granddaughter, Addie, asked my daughter-in-law, “Mom, is Jesus really far away to get to?” Her mother replied, “No, he’s right here with us. We can talk to him any time.” Addie confirmed, “He’s in our hearts” (she pronounces it hawts). After her mother affirmed with a “that’s right,” Addie smiled and declared simply, “I love Jesus.”
“Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise.” Matthew 21:16
Three things struck me about this sweet conversation. One, Addie has been listening. Two, she would have never even begun the conversation had God not drawn her to it. Three, this is a lesson for us grownups to return to the simplicity of our faith.
Addie Was Listening
My daughter-in-law later told me that because Addie is a bit reticent, it is hard to tell if she is getting anything out of what they are teaching her at home and at church. And, of course, she’s only three.
But not only has Addie been listening, through what she is hearing she was able to divine the most profound truth in all the universe. Jesus is alive. He is close. And he loves us.
Practicing Jews place a tiny scroll containing Deuteronomy 6:4-9 in a small capsule called a mezuzah, which is hung on the doorposts of their homes as a reminder to keep God and his greatest commandment ever before them and their families.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Never assume your children aren’t listening, and never give them a reason to forget what they’ve heard by neglecting to heed God’s command to instruct them. Because Deuteronomy 6 is a command, and not a mere guideline. Diligently teach in your house, by the way, when you lie down, when you rise. Bind the teaching to your hand, affix it between your eyes, and write it on your doorposts and gates. That’s a pretty cogent and comprehensive directive.
When you’re driving your children to soccer, tucking them in to bed, walking through the mall, waiting in line at Chick-fil-A, seize every opportunity to live out Deuteronomy 6, either intrinsically in everyday conversation, or through the regular teaching of Scripture, catechisms, creeds, and doctrinally sound music. Take every moment with them captive to the teaching of biblical truth.
Addie Was Drawn in by God
Jesus tells us in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” No one. Not even a three-year-old.
When she suddenly asked her mother about Christ, Addie was experiencing an encounter with the living God. Her tender age did not diminish this. After all, in Matthew 11:25, Jesus thanked his Father for revealing profound truth to little children. Jesus was on Addie’s mind because God had placed him there.
These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13
This is joy inexpressible. Teaching your children about God is not a solo endeavor. The Spirit goes before you, compelling the questioning, inspiring the conversation, interpreting truth and infusing it into your child’s heart and mind. And yours.
Addie Was Reminding Us of Profound Elemental Truth
We grown ups sometimes allow the complexities of life to obscure or overshadow the simple realities of our faith. Sound doctrine is vital. Deepened knowledge is part of our sanctification. But there is great comfort for a follower of Jesus in returning to the profound simplicity of the gospel. Jesus is alive. He is in our hearts. He loves us.
Jesus had plenty to say not only about the importance of children in his kingdom, but also of the requisite child-like faith as a means to enter it.
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6
“See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10
“Let the children come to me; 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.” Mark 10: 14
Returning to a guileless profession of faith can act as a reset when you are doubting the goodness or even the presence and love of God. Or when you just need a simple reminder of who God is and how much he loves you.
Anna Bartlett Warner’s beloved hymn need not be relegated solely to children.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.