There is nothing like the exercise of trying to communicate with small children to bring you down to earth! Children are so simple and straightforward in their thinking. They have no place for complicated abstract ideas.

It is interesting to note the important place that Jesus gave to children in his teaching. He chastised his disciples for trying to prevent children being brought to him, and made the startling statement: "the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14) He went even further to say: "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it". (v. 15) Not only did Jesus believe that it was possible for children to enter God's kingdom, he actually saw them as the antetype for anyone who would enter!

Perhaps it is the simplicity of their faith, or it could be their insignificance in the world's eyes. Or it may be their capacity to receive a free gift without trying to earn it. Jesus did not explain his statement, but one thing seems obvious from what he said; the heart of the Christian message should be understandable by children.

I found it a challenge, therefore, to be speaking last week to my Year 2 Infants Scripture class, and then to the children of our Preschool Kindergarten, about the meaning of Easter. It was obvious that the tangible symbols of Hot Cross Buns, chocolate Easter Eggs and holiday visits to grandparents were very much at the forefront of their thinking. A small number knew that the cross was connected with Jesus dying. Even fewer seemed to have any idea of Jesus coming back to life, or of the symbolism of the egg in this regard. The great majority seemed to have absolutely no idea of what Easter was all about, or what meaning it had for them.

Interestingly, I was also talking to an adult person last week, in a totally different context. It emerged in the conversation that, although they had some Christian connection as a child, the Christian message had very little relevanvce for them in their adult life. They saw no need for joining in the Easter celebration this weekend. They were a basically good living person, comfortably affluent with a good family. Their children had been baptised and went to Church schools, but there was no place, nor need as they saw it, in their life for practical involvement in the things of God's kingdom.

What them, is the heart of the Easter message that is relevant both to children in their simplicity and to adults in their complexity? First, is the proclamation of God's incredible love. Jesus' death on the cross demonstrates for all time that God demonstrates for all time that God loves us so much that He gave His only son, while we were still sinners (John 3:17; Romans 5:8). Of course, that sacrifice is really only appreciated by those who recognise what a terrible predicament they are in. But the proclamation is still there.

However, the cross, by itself, does not mean much. Tens of thousands of Jews were executed on Roman crosses. What sets the death of Jesus apart from all others is the miracle of the Resurrection. It was the resurrection from the dead that declared with power that he is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). It was the resurrection that set God's seal of approval on his sacrifice for our sin and it was the resurrection that broke the power of death and opened up for us the door of eternal life.

That is more than just an event in ancient history. It is something that changes the way you and I, and our children, face today and in the future.

John Davies
31 March 2002