Children of Praise

By Romina Chevren

“The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 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?”’ And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.”—Matthew 21:14–17 (NIV)

In the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter a remarkable scene within the temple that unveils profound insights about faith, worship, and the kingdom of God. Today’s Scripture transports us to a moment in history where the actions of Jesus and the praises of children converge to teach us invaluable lessons.

At the heart of this passage lies the compassionate ministry of Jesus. The blind and the lame, often marginalized by society, were drawn to Him in the temple. Here, we witness Jesus extending His healing touch to those in need. His actions serve as a reminder that God's kingdom is a refuge for all, especially the overlooked and downtrodden. It prompts us to embrace compassion and inclusivity, reaching out to those who require healing and hope. Jesus exemplifies that in His kingdom, there’s a place for everyone.

The narrative takes an unexpected turn as children fill the temple with spontaneous and heartfelt praises. Their cry, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” resounds with innocence and sincerity. In response to the perplexed expressions of the religious authorities, Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 (TLB), "You have taught the little children to praise you perfectly.”This declaration underscores a crucial truth: God treasures the praises of children.

Children teach us the authenticity and simplicity of worship. They approach God without pretense or reservations, reminding us that worship is not about eloquent words or grand gestures but stems from a sincere heart. The purity of their praise challenges us to reevaluate our worship, encouraging us to offer God our heartfelt adoration, unburdened by pretense.

In stark contrast to the pure and spontaneous praises of the children, the chief priests and scribes, custodians of religious tradition, are indignant. They’re so entrenched in their rituals and regulations that they fail to recognize the divine presence before them. This serves as a poignant reminder for us to examine our hearts and priorities. Are we, like the religious authorities, so focused on our routines and expectations that we miss the living Christ in our midst? This passage calls us to embrace change and the unexpected ways in which God may choose to reveal Himself.

Within this passage, we catch a glimpse of the kingdom of God—a realm characterized by compassion, inclusivity, and the purity of worship. It’s a place where the hurting find healing, the marginalized discover acceptance, and the heartfelt praises of children are cherished. As followers of Christ, we’re beckoned to embody these kingdom values in our lives and communities.

Today’s passage imparts profound lessons about approaching God with childlike faith, embracing compassion and inclusivity, and recognizing the purity of heartfelt worship. It urges us to open our hearts to the healing touch of Jesus who extends His love to those in need. It also calls us to cultivate a worship that’s sincere and authentic, unburdened by pretense or tradition. As we align ourselves with the values of God's kingdom, we unlock the transformative power of faith in our lives and draw nearer to the heart of our Savior.

Pause: Take a moment to find a quiet and comfortable space. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to enter into a state of reflection. Imagine the scene in the temple: picturing the blind and the lame being healed by Jesus and the children praising Him with pure hearts. Let the words sink in and allow the imagery to come to life in your mind.

Practice: As you meditate on today’s passage, consider how you can incorporate its teachings into your daily life. Take a moment to evaluate your daily routines and priorities. Are there areas where you've become so entrenched in tradition or expectations that you've missed opportunities to recognize God's presence and work in your life? Determine to be more open to change and the unexpected ways in which God may be revealing Himself to you.

Pray: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the profound lessons found in Matthew 21:14–17. We’re reminded of Your boundless compassion and inclusivity, which inspires us to reach out to those in need to extend Your love and healing touch. Help us, Lord, to approach You with childlike faith, free from pretense and reservations, seeking a deeper and more authentic connection with You in our worship and daily lives. Lord, please reveal to us any areas where we’ve become entrenched in our routines and expectations causing us to miss Your presence and work. Grant us the wisdom and humility to embrace change and recognize Your unexpected revelations in our lives. May our actions mirror the values of Your kingdom characterized by compassion, inclusivity, and sincere worship. May we be vessels of Your love and healing, just as Jesus was in the temple that day. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.