Mat 19:14 (Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
A child is noted to be innocent, trusting, pure, loving, teachable, pliable, inquisitive, simple, and non-judgmental. They have not entered into the cares of the world or the deceitfulness of riches. They do not dwell on history or the future, their focus is "now". Jesus revealed a subtle mystery in the above statements and it was recorded by three witnesses- Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Everyone loves a young child. They know when the child smiles at them, it is genuine and innocent without an ulterior motive. Isn’t that what we all yearn for, innocent and genuine acts of love? This is who will reside in the Kingdom of Heaven, those who will genuinely love, trust, and respond with pure hearts. As Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
Children are known for their simplicity, not complexity. The world of complex structure is unimportant to them, they just want fellowship. "Can you play with me?" is the cry of the young child. Society teaches the child to focus on complex structure and strengthens the soul to deal with all of the complexities created by the developing social order. What is the endgame of society? Is it to create enough free time to have everyone vacation or play endless video games? At our core we are called to be creators. Building, gardening, producing, healing, etc. are all creative acts that cause us to be fulfilled. Those acts done in love will cause that "void" in us to be filled.
A child requires interaction. He or she will play with anybody, independent of race, age, or gender. The child expresses love without reservation and will embrace a stranger if allowed to by the parent. A child’s playtime can be accomplished with as little as a ball and a stick or by playing a game of tag. Big people need pricey toys to satisfy their playtime. This world of structure has pulled us into its vortex making us think that we must have bigger, better, more expensive toys in order to fill that "void".
In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven we must shed the world of structure and return to the simplicity known in childhood. Jesus did not need a McMansion or a private jet to be fulfilled. He led a simple life. His followers wanted him to build an army and conquer the Romans. He preferred to fellowship with Our Heavenly Father and those around him. He preferred to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. We all know that once we acquire a house, car, or similar purchase, it will become less important with time. The familiar is not as exciting as the unfamiliar. All the energy spent acquiring "things" could be redirected to more enduring acts.
A simplified life as a child is the way into the Kingdom of Heaven.