From the lips of children and infants…Matthew 21:16

Apparently the merchants and the religious leaders were so focused on their own agendas and perspectives that they misunderstood who was really visiting the city that day. They obviously ignored the fact all the sick, lame, and blind were getting healed. They were able to ignore these miracles because Jesus did not fit the model of what they expected in the Messiah. They were blinded by their own perceptions. 

They noticed the healings and ignored them but they could not ignore one faith filled group in attendance that day. This group of worshipers caught the attention of everyone. Their story is told in Matthew 21:15-16.

"But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

I am sure to some extent the children got caught up in the excitement of the moment because children love parties. But, Jesus was quoting a prophecy from Psalm 8:2 which is a powerful statement about God would do through children. 

"Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."

Children also have a capacity for belief in God that often exceeds that of adults. One colleague of mine claims that children have a unique perspective on understanding spiritual things because they see things in the spiritual realm that adults do not see and it does not frighten them. He claims that as we grow, and rational thinking takes over, we lose this ability and we forget what it was like as children to live in a world where the supernatural and the natural worlds were not so separate from each other.

 Let's also not miss the fact that in most cultures children are taught to be quiet and let the adults be in charge. But on this day, in the city of Jerusalem they could not be silenced. 

Despite their ability to be filled with faith and enthusiasm for God, children are immature and need guidance and direction for life. For this reason, we are developing discipleship material that mirrors the adult version so families can grow together as disciples of Jesus, learning through age appropriate resources.