Juice and Crackers

My 5 year old sat in church with us on Sunday.  Later she wanted to know why we didn't let her take some juice and crackers when they were passed around.  I explained the basics of communion to her, ending with "People who want to follow Jesus eat the juice and crackers.  Do you want to follow Jesus?"

She answered without hesitation, "Mommy, I want to follow you AND Jesus.

. . .And go to heaven.

. . .And have juice and crackers."

I was a bit troubled by the fixation on the juice and crackers, but as I looked back on it, I think she may have gotten it right. Theologians have spent ages interpreting the truths of the Bible, but it's all very simple through the eyes of a child:

Love Jesus, obey your parents, go to heaven, and in the meantime, enjoy juice and crackers with your friends.

May we live today with the faith of a child.