1 John 3:1-7
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
This morning’s reading reminds me of the one about a Sunday school teacher who was watching the children while they were drawing one Sunday. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s artwork. As she got to Little Johnny who was working diligently, she asked what his drawing was. Little Johnny replied, “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” Without missing a beat, or looking up from his drawing, Little Johnny replied, “They will in a minute.”
Wouldn’t that be amazing to be able to see what God looks like?! What He actually looks like?! We tell ourselves that we don’t have to look beyond Jesus to know the face of God. Jesus is the physical embodiment of God so if we want to know what God looks like simply look to Jesus. Of course, then we run into problems of which portrayal of Jesus do we look at…a short-haired Jesus or a long-haired Jesus? A light-skinned Jesus or a dark-skinned Jesus? A short Jesus or a tall Jesus? What about a genderless Jesus? Isn’t God genderless? Sure, we use the pronoun “He” in scripture when referring to God but that’s simply for ease of communication. God really is ALL genders, but language hasn’t figured out a way to clearly convey this. Even the use of the word, “they,” is confusing as it suggests multiplicity. God is a single entity, yet comprised of three entities as we confess as Christians. Perhaps “they” is an accurate pronoun to use in scripture after all! Ugh!
This is all to say that little Johnny’s task of accurately drawing God is most likely an impossible task. Even God doesn’t think we’re capable of seeing him in his full glory. Recall how Moses was only able to see God’s back and not his face as He walked past him on the top of Mount Sinai. I don’t believe God doesn’t want to be seen; it’s just a matter of our being able to see him. God reveals himself when we are able to see, plain and simple. It’s on US to become able to see, not on God. But perhaps we’re getting off the tracks a little…
Little Johnny’s task is most likely an impossible task and yet he sets about diligently working at it. Thus is the importance of children. Nothing is impossible for children, or so they believe. They’re willing to try anything, go anywhere, meet anyone. Children are limited only by what their little bodies can do. Children aren’t burdened with fear or doubt, sadness or regret. Children don’t have to calculate risk in any given situation. Those are the calculations and burdens of the adults in their lives. Children are entitled to get caught up in the wonders of the world without any accountability or responsibility. What a gift to be a child! A gift…and a curse. Children are also utterly dependent on the adults around them. And their little bodies can get them into some pretty dangerous situations. Children need the love and protection of the adults around them if they’re going to survive in this world. This world is full of wonders but also dangers and children can’t always protect themselves. This world needs the fearlessness and imagination of children though.
Multiple times in our reading for this morning, we heard John refer to the reader as “children of God” and I think this was very deliberate. In repeating it, we are to consider ourselves as God’s children and fully live into this identity. We ARE children of God and what a blessing! We can get caught up in the wonder of this world and be assured that God is protecting us from the dangers of this world. We can be fearless and imaginative and trusting! God is with us and, like that faithful teacher, has provided us this time and space to be creative and inventive. Yes, there are many dangers, but God has given us great joys to experience in this world. God doesn’t want us overwhelmed by fear and doubt. He wants us to believe nothing is impossible, that with ingenuity and persistence we can overcome any obstacle and understand any mystery. Remember, it’s on us to become able know and see God. God is patiently waiting for us, slowly revealing to us wisdom about him and his created universe. God is committed to us and loves us unconditionally just as any faithful parent would be and do.
As children of God, we acknowledge the authority and power of our heavenly Father. He is truly worthy of our honor and respect! And in turn, we can trust that He will provide for us and protect us as we live and walk through this world. This is his playground, and we have the privilege of playing in it! It’s no wonder that Jesus continually lifted up the importance of children during his earthly ministry. Children truly are the future. They’re the ones who will use the wisdom revealed to us and find ways to get God to reveal new wisdom. Recall the words of Jesus in Matthew, “Take care that you do not despise one these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.” (18:10) In other words, children are the ones who God reveals him most clearly to. Their vision isn’t clouded by fear and doubt. They only want to learn and please. Of course, Jesus goes on to proclaim a little later in Matthew, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (19:14) Children know they have much to learn and are trusting and generous with their love. We are God’s children and blessed to be! Let us behave as such and give thanks for our heavenly Father! Thanks be to God!
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
