It’s not our training or study or even our service that get us in. It is having the simplicity of a child. Other translations say unless we become like a little child. That encompasses a lot of characteristics and one in particular stands out for me from this text. Humility.
With humility, people brought their children to Jesus just so he could touch them.
Without humility, the disciples shooed those children and people away.
Without humility, we are going to get it wrong.
Even when we get something right it will be wrong if it isn’t decided with humility. Whether it is teaching children or adults, planning for the future, or even finding and calling a new pastor. If we don’t build from a base of humility, we won’t have a firm foundation.