For many years in high society England, children had little access to adults. They spent most of their time among nannies. At tea time, they’d have an hour of orderly time with their parents, but no more.

Even back in Jesus’ day, children were to be seen and not heard. Their disorderly conduct, their unbridled energy and play just weren’t a fit for the serious and wise world of adulthood.

But Jesus recognized their value and admonished anyone who said they had no place in His Kingdom.

When you look closely at a young child, you can’t miss a quality that we’ve lost as grown-ups: pure and abundant innocence. They beam with freedom from a world of shame and regret. They entertain new thoughts with humility and wonder.

Jesus told these wise and serious adults that it’s not children who have no place in His Kingdom, it’s the judgmental adults who won’t humble themselves to return to the innocence of childhood. In this sense, children are gatekeepers to God — not an afterthought.

Welcome the children around you and learn from them.

Find your maturity in Christ through the innocence of a child.