Opus 2011-368, The Nature of a Child

If you have ever worked with children, you know some of the questions they can ask.  “Did the baby Jesus dirty his diapers?”  “Did the baby Jesus know He was God?”  Of course some of us still wonder about those things as we get older.

One of the mysteries I expect to research in the University of the New Jerusalem has to do with Jesus childhood.  On one side we have the indication that Jesus grew up as a normal child.  He lived in submission to His parents.  He was trained by Joseph to be a carpenter.  He had brothers who tried to control His behavior.

At the same time He was Almighty God.  This is what the incarnation is all about. 

(John 1:14 KJV)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

So I wonder what Jesus was like as a child.

I know what other children are like.  I have experienced it.  I was a child.  I have dealt with it as a parent, teacher, uncle and member of society.  And I have read what the Bible has to say about children.  Like so many other great truths a child has different sides.  My first born was hideous.  He was covered with blood and a white chalky substance.  Underneath he was blue.  His face looked like a clay model that had run into a wall.  At the same time he was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen:  He was my firstborn.

So on one side we have Jesus and children. 

(Matthew 19:14 KJV)  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus got along well with children.  They enjoyed being with Him.  He looked at the positive qualities of childhood and told us to grow up and become like children.

(Luke 18:17 KJV)  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

So we see that there is a side of childhood that is good.

We get a different picture if we read other places.

(Proverbs 22:15 KJV)  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Maybe part of the difference was that Solomon had children and Jesus didn’t.  Or it could be that both are true. 

We are touching on the Biblical teaching about Original Sin or Depravity.  As beautiful and wonderful as children are there is still a foundation of self-centeredness and rebellion that marks them as needing a savior.  This is one of the differences between the Biblical nature of humanity and the secular view. 

This is a vital difference.  The church is letting it go and we are paying the price.  Schools assume that children are not the problem, society is the problem.  Thus the vast majority of teachers think that all education needs is more money and slicker programs.  All we need to do is train teachers with better methods and children will turn into enlightened and benevolent adults.  Teachers are told to use methods such as cooperative learning and collaboration in order to let the wisdom of the child come out.  Much classroom time is wasted on such nonsense.

The Bible teaches that the child is a sinner.  He was born that way and remains that way until the grace of God is applied.

(Psalms 51:5 KJV)  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

You probably don’t like the idea.  The secular view is much more appealing.  Next time you are inclined to accept it, ask yourself what kind of inner goodness is being exhibited on the news when they talk about these mobs of young people running amok in malls and creating mayhem.  They have been told again and again that they are good and that society is wrong.

The message of Christmas is that man needs a savior.  The message of Christmas is that the Savior was born.  The message of Christmas is that He brings hope.

Pray that the message will break through.

May this year be the “fullness of time” in your life and the lives of those you love.

homo unius libri