Faith Like a Child
“Aunt Gerry, are there unicorns in Heaven?” My three-year-old grandniece, Avery, waited expectantly for an answer to her question.
I was momentarily quiet, as I pondered this. While her theology may not yet be at seminary level, her question stayed with me a while. Why wouldn’t a three-year-old expect to see unicorns in Heaven? She is developing an understanding that Jesus loves her, as she loves Him; she knows that He is in Heaven, and that being with Him in eternity means endless peace and joy. Avery delights in unicorns. She knows Jesus delights in her. So, that would certainly mean unicorns are in Heaven, she reasons.
Jesus says in Mark 10:15, and again in Luke 18:17, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” What does He mean by this? We are not to be childish, but childlike. Jesus expects our complete trust, as a child would trust a parent. Something is true, because Jesus said it is true. That should be enough for us. Many times, for a “mature believer,” though, it is not.
This week’s passage encompasses Luke 24:36-47, which tells us the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples after His resurrection, and shows us just how small our faith can be. We are told that when Jesus came to them, they were “startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.” The words that Jesus speaks to them next, should comfort every believer, new or seasoned. Jesus says (verses 38-39) “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
So why then did they doubt? At this point, after three years of being taught by the Savior Himself, they had certainly seen their share of miracles. Yet, we can’t be too hard on them. I suspect that had we been there, our reaction would have been the same as the disciples. Sure, we believe, but help us with our unbelief. Could it be that our faith needs to be a bit less mature and a bit more childlike? I confess mine does. True, pure faith in Christ doesn’t depend on sight or reason. In fact, just the opposite is true, as Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of which is not seen.”
My grandniece seems to know this intuitively, even as a three-year-old. Something is true, because Jesus said so. Avery doesn’t doubt this truth. She spends no time analyzing it, writing down proof points, or cross referencing anything at all. Maybe her faith is stronger than mine. Clearly, her trust is.
My prayer this Resurrection Sunday is that we who are in Christ can find rest, peace, and the confidence that Jesus is who He says He is, and that He is to be fully trusted.
Avery is waiting for my answer, so I tell her that Scripture doesn’t mention unicorns at all, but it does tell us about the love of Christ, that we are permanently His, and that He will always make the very best decision for us. We can always be assured of that.
She looks at me as if I have explained something obvious. But she nods and says “So maybe there are unicorns there. Maybe Jesus likes them, too.”
I smile at her. Maybe, Avery; maybe He does, too.
~ Originally from New York, Gerry Lutzel has been a NC resident since 2017 and currently teaches in the women’s Bible study. She also serves at Guest Services on Sunday mornings.