I don’t think I’ve ever thought about it this way.  Here’s the scene:  “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1 NRSV).  Maybe it was idle chatter, conversation as Jesus and his followers were walking along.  Maybe it was a serious question from Kingdom status seekers.  Maybe it was just an innocent question with no agenda.

There’s no indication Jesus paused to think about it or even mull over his feelings at such a question.  Here’s what happened:  “He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”  Was He pulling their leg?

I wonder if Jesus ever kidded around?  As I observe children, I see them playing a lot.  My granddaughter when she was little always wanted me to play “hotel” with her.  I would pretend to be a guest and she would assign me a room in our house and I had to pretend to be getting ready for and finally going to sleep.

For today I invite us all to take a lesson from the children we see.  Try imitating their playfulness.  Try to laugh at simple things like the infant on America’s Funniest Videos who couldn’t stop laughing about the noise a door stop made when he pulled on it.  Try looking at your life with baby eyes.  Be filled with wonder at a flower.  Look at the beauty of creation and praise the Creator.