The Concept of Just Because

"But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

 "Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

   “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

   “‘From the lips of children and infants 
   you, Lord, have called forth your praise’ ?”.   Matthew 21:15-16

Clearly the children recognized who Jesus was and were quick to give Him the praise  due His name.  How could it be that the little children could see what the Pharisees could not?  Because their minds were not cluttered with the thoughts, concerns and the knowledge that so often serves only to blind us to simple truth.  The children saw Jesus for who He was and not who they thought He should be.  They had no preconceived notions, no expectations no doctrine to cloud their vision.  They were able to praise Him simply because.

How many times have we as parents, when asked "why" by a child, are quick to answer "Because I said so."?  Children are familiar with the concept of "just because." While this is not the best way to answer a child's request for clarification, it does underscore the fact that they are innately able to accept such an explanation from a person perceived to have more knowledge.  

Adults, on the other hand have long since lost that ability.  That is largely due to the fact that blind faith in this world, can summon disaster.  The good news is that as adults, we can make the distinction between who we can believe and who we cannot.  The problem often is that our hearts know that we can believe God, but our  minds may not always concur.  

Notice in the following verses how Jesus states clearly that no one will enter the Kingdom unless they receive it like a child.

 "People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. ".         Mark 10:13-16

No mincing of words here, folks.  Simple, childlike faith.  Believing God just because He says so.  

Tying this into the statement I made in my last entry as the first simple step toward being able to worship God in the spirit....keep it simple, saints....we can follow the example of children today.  Take God at His word, believe what He says, drop any preconceived notions of who He is or what He can do and simply say as the children did as they experienced the presence of Jesus........"Hosanna to the son of David!"