I found myself
contemplating the little children portion of today’s reading, particularly
Jesus’ reply. Then little children were
brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the
disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had
placed his hands on them, he went on from there (13-15).
It is not hard for me to
imagine the scene. Jesus, by this time a famous person, draws a crowd. Mamas
wanting their children blessed by the famous rabbi, press through crowds to get
to Jesus. The twelve, acting like bouncers, try to keep away less important
people… like kids. That’s when Jesus speaks His famous line. Let the little children
come to me, and do not hinder them…
Jesus offers
access to all, the important and the not so, the old and the young, poor and the
rich, sinner and religious, men and women, Jew and Samaritan. Jesus is for
everyone and we the followers of Jesus must never create arbitrary boundaries
keeping certain people away from Jesus. The Spirit draws who He wills. We must
never hinder the work of the Spirit!
For the kingdom of
heaven belongs to such as these… This is where I really have to ponder. It seems Jesus is
saying that the unimportant, the ‘looked past,’ and the forgotten…these are the
inheritors of the kingdom.
But is Jesus
saying they have an ‘in,’ a ‘fast track’ to the kingdom? That doesn’t seem
consistent with the witness of the Scriptures. A better way to understand this
might be to hear Jesus saying the humble, the weak, the ‘looked past’ and the
forgotten belong to the kingdom because they get it. They understand it is not
about our importance, but recognition of Jesus as the all important one that makes them
‘belong’ to the kingdom. This seems more consistent with Scripture and is
probably getting closer, But still more meditation is
required.
Lord,
thank You for Your challenging words. The words that make me ponder and think
and meditate. Most of all thank You for the invitation to come to You. May I be
like those moms and kids, never deterred by others, instead always seeking You,
pressing closer to You… In Your name, Oh Lord, I pray. Amen.
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