“From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise”? Matthew 21 v 16
When we imagine a child we often think of innocence and playfulness. Children are inquisitive and they love to be given attention. The other side of their innocence, however, is that they are weak and vulnerable. A young child is dependent on others to care for them. They can be taken advantage of, and often children can be overlooked. Their opinions can be deemed insignificant but the amazing thing about Jesus is that He notices them. Despite these negative perceptions of children, His attention is drawn to their praise. Not only does He notice, He appreciates their praise.
In this passage, we see Jesus entering Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey, fulfilling the prophesies spoken over Him. The crowds gathered to welcome Him laying their cloaks and branches on the ground for him. With shouts of, “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus enters triumphantly and rouses the city. Everyone wanted to know who this incredible man was. They had heard the stories, and here He was returning to Jerusalem so majestically. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to die. He had proclaimed the Kingdom of God, but He was not finished yet. Jesus continues to perform miracles. He heals the blind and lame. He overturns the tables in the temple. He causes a scene and proclaims that God’s presence dwells in His house. In these incredible moments, we hear that even the children were shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Alongside the miracles, it was the fact that even the children were praising Him that incensed the religious leaders. Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 to the chief priests and teachers, saying that it is God who has brought forth praise from the children. In the middle of the miracle performing and the overturning of tables, He takes time to see them, He values them.
We can learn a lot from the way Jesus sees and interacts with children. When the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest in Matthew 18, Jesus tells them they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven without becoming like a child. Becoming like a child means to have a simple belief that the King has entered into your world today. It is having that faith that trusts what Jesus says, even if you don’t see it yet. He loves you and is worthy of praise – you can approach Jesus no matter what is going on for you. As adults we often complicate the goodness of God’s grace. We often live focused on our own shortcomings, our weaknesses and our sin. Be like the children in this story today whose eyes and praise were fixed firmly on who Jesus was and what He was doing, despite how the world saw them. They were focused on praising God even in the midst of the religious leaders’ anger.
Today God reminds you that He sees You. In the midst of all that God is doing right now, He remembers you. Jesus does not consider you to be insignificant. He sees the vulnerabilities and your weakness. You are not hidden from His gaze. Remember the reality is that God works in your weakness. He tells us in 2 Corinthians 12: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Today the King enters into your world. Fix your eyes on Him. Approach Him as you are, with your weakness, and He will turn it into praise. He sees you.
Prayer: Father, thank you that because of your goodness, you see me. You notice every area of my life. Lord, help me today to be like a child, approaching you with all that I am. I fix my eyes on you and what you have for me, not on the way the world sees me. And help me Lord to see others like you see me. As you entered triumphantly into Jerusalem, enter into my world today that I may praise you. Thank you for today’s grace, which works in my weakness. Amen.
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Easter Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2021