Let The Children Come
by Jani Freimann
Title
Let The Children Come
Artist
Jani Freimann
Medium
Drawing - Graphite
Description
A preliminary sketch to a commissioned painting.
I chose to use children of varying ages even though the verse this image portrays speaks only of little children because I have found that children up to a certain age have the attributes the verse speaks about.
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them, but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ~ Matthew 19:13-14
Matthew 18:3 says: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
I explain the little children part below, but how does one change?
Paul says: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will ~ Romans 12:2
Renewing is a continuous action of renewal of the mind. Everything that we do that is a bad habit, especially things in our lives that are looked at through a wounded lens, must go through transformation and have renewed thinking if we are ever going to be able to approach the Kingdom like little children and experience an abundant life.
Why does he say minds and not actions? He says mind because our actions are guided by the way we think. As a man thinks in his heart so is he - Proverbs 23:7
How does one start transformation of the mind? Recognize the area that needs it and change our perspective by creating a new habit of how we think about that area and take action until the new transformed thinking and actions become a new and good habit. Whether it is in our thinking or in our actions or both it is as easy and as doable as that. Easy solution, but not always easy to accomplish because those bad habits in how we think and do things have quite a grip on us. But there is hope because we are creatures of habit. We can change a bad habit and stinkin' thinkin' to good thinking. It takes a continuous action of renewing to be transformed. It has been said that it takes 30 days to create a new habit. No time like the present to start to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.
Tear down the lies by lining them up against the character of God. What does he say about those thoughts? A lie cannot stand when it is exposed with truth. We must cast out the lies and cultivate the truth so that we may have life and a life more abundant. If we don't, the thief has succeeded.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.~ 2 Corinthians 10:5
Now to the little children part. Mark 10:14 says that Jesus was indignant.
Indignant means: feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
When we hinder a child from going to Jesus and/or their purpose in life no matter how well meaning we are, we create an area of woundedness in their life that causes them to need to be transformed back to the heart of that "little child" that Jesus is speaking about.
So when Jesus said, Let the children come to me, he was saying it with heartfelt emotion and with necessary correction.
Jesus is not just scolding the disciples for keeping the children from Him, but is also speaking of the uncomplicated faith and trust children have in Him. Little children have one over on an adult when it comes to faith and trust and reliance on being provided for. Children are also more teachable than an adult. Adults tend to get set in their ways as they have forgotten how to live in that child-like wonder place (remember: unless you are like one of these). Children have a desire to learn, are eager to explore, be themselves without question, don't worry about where there provision comes from or what they will wear, are curious about God, are filled with hope and wonder, easily inspired, and many more things that are wonderful. When we run to Jesus and stay with Jesus we can be like kids again in these ways within our purpose. We are all designed with a purpose and for a purpose. That thing that burns inside of us to do, perhaps since childhood, is our purpose. When that is aligned with a relationship with Christ, the possibilities are endless and we can enjoy the bounty of the Kingdom as heirs to the throne; which includes abundant life here on earth.
John 10:10 - The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy (including your childlike wonder). I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son ~ John 3:16.
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January 4th, 2013
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