Like a Small Child

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:13-16 ESV). Today we turn our attention to one of my favorite scenes from the ministry of Jesus. It is easy to picture the experience in comparison to a Sunday morning at most churches. The disciples in this scene are acting as very well-intentioned, sincerely wanting to keep distractions away from whatever important things Jesus is doing or saying. They remind me of dedicated ushers trying their best to minimize disruptions in a worship service, or disapproving people in the pew frowning at parents trying to deal with a wailing infant or a fidgety toddler during a sermon. The disciples only want to ensure that Jesus’ ministry doesn’t get derailed by interruptions. What they don’t realize is that the children are not an interruption. They are the ministry. They embody the very message Jesus is trying to get across. As his arms reach out to gather the children, he enacts his message of good news, aiming it precisely at those who lived on the edges of society, powerless and voiceless. This is no baby-kissing photo op like those staged by politicians. Jesus mysteriously tells his listeners that they all must receive the kingdom as a child. The kingdom is offered to those who don’t have any inside connections to rely on, those who would be brushed aside by much of the world. It’s for the curious and inquisitive. It’s for people who make no pretense of being able to earn it for themselves. It’s for those who will ask “why,” and seek understanding. It’s for all who can receive such an undeserved gift with sheer gratitude. Somehow we lose those things as we grow older. Something as simple as the smell of a spring rain becomes lost in the inconvenience of the rain to our schedule; or, the incessant questioning of a child becomes an interruption to our thoughts or immediate goal. I have found that just slowing down enough to allow myself the luxury of recognizing that my schedule is not always God’s schedule has brought an enormous amount of peace. Maybe it’s the transitional period I am in right now. We’re really not fully settled. We have moved back to Texas, but are living with our oldest son and his family until the house is finished. It has been the motivation to just roll with the changes. I am beginning to think that’s all God really wanted me to see again anyway. There is no great lesson here. It is the simplicity of adopting the attitude of a child and going with the flow all around me. You know, I am finding that a much better place to be. My encouragement to you is to recapture the wonder of childhood in the midst of the complex world of schedules, deadlines, and stress you live within.