by jimwalton » Fri Apr 24, 2020 11:48 am
I'm trying to understand what you're asking, especially about "a clue." A clue to what? A clue about what?
Jesus is not talking about mental innocence and imagination. As is typical, there is a deeper meaning that is Jesus's real point. He's talking about discipleship, not innocence and imagination. His sense, as through all of Matthew, is an understanding that our communion with God is about relationship and not religion. A child in the ancient world was powerless, without rights, a nobody, a "seed." His point is that kind of humility (18.4), not anything to do with innocence. A child is humble not from intent and deliberate action, but from the nature of childhood—they have no presumptions of power or status. We don't approach God from a vantage point of rights, obligations, status and power, but instead from that of emptiness (Mt. 5.3), humility and submission. We have no case to press, but only throwing ourselves at His mercy. It was a direct contrast to the way the Judaistic religion approached God—on the basis of works.
If I have missed your point, please try again. I would love to talk about this.
I'm trying to understand what you're asking, especially about "a clue." A clue to what? A clue about what?
Jesus is not talking about mental innocence and imagination. As is typical, there is a deeper meaning that is Jesus's real point. He's talking about discipleship, not innocence and imagination. His sense, as through all of Matthew, is an understanding that our communion with God is about relationship and not religion. A child in the ancient world was powerless, without rights, a nobody, a "seed." His point is that kind of humility (18.4), not anything to do with innocence. A child is humble not from intent and deliberate action, but from the nature of childhood—they have no presumptions of power or status. We don't approach God from a vantage point of rights, obligations, status and power, but instead from that of emptiness (Mt. 5.3), humility and submission. We have no case to press, but only throwing ourselves at His mercy. It was a direct contrast to the way the Judaistic religion approached God—on the basis of works.
If I have missed your point, please try again. I would love to talk about this.