That was the question my three-and one-half year-old grandson asked me recently. I had never been asked that question by any adult or anyone I know… until this day. Henry was supposed to take a nap that afternoon. But instead, he decided to talk about Jesus. I have a crucifix of Jesus on the cross by my bed. I have shared about Jesus with Henry before many times. But today, he really was intrigued by seeing Jesus on the cross. He jumped on my bed and asked me if he could hold Jesus. I gave him the crucifix and we started the deepest conversation I have ever had with a child. Here is how the conversation went:
Henry: “Why did the bad guys nailed Jesus to the cross?”
Mimi: “Because they didn’t want Jesus to live. They wanted him dead.”
Henry: “Jesus is dead?”
Mimi: “No, He was dead only for 3 days. This is only a picture of Jesus on the cross, so we don’t forget what He went through. He died for our sins so we could go to heaven when we die. They buried him inside a tomb and rolled over a huge stone that no one could move… But then, God sent an angel who removed the big stone and God woke Jesus up. He raised Jesus from the dead.”
Henry: “Jesus is awake?”
Mimi: “Yes, He is alive, and His Spirit is in our hearts when we accept Him as our Savior.”
Henry: after thinking for a few seconds, “What is God, Mimi?”
Mimi: After a split moment and asking God to give me the right answer that a child could understand, I responded: “God is LOVE.”
Henry: “God is love?”
Mimi: “Yes, Henry. He created everything out of His deep love. He made you and me and all the people. And He loves you.
Henry: “I love Jesus.” Henry still can’t say the “L” sound so he said, “I ‘wove’ Jesus!”
Wow! I have never been so touched by such a deep question, and even more so coming from a child, my beloved grandson. God gave me the perfect answer: God is LOVE! One word, so simple yet so profound. It encompasses everything that God is and represents. Everything God does is out of love for us. It’s clearly stated in the well-known verse from the Scriptures John 3:16 (NLT) For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.
Be encouraged! Share your faith in Jesus with your children and grandchildren. They have “child-like” faith and will see and believe the truth of the Scriptures. That is our only hope to see all our loved ones in heaven for eternity.
Matthew 18:3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.”