Jesus and Children
Nothing says more about the man Jesus the Christ than the way he treated the weak, the down and out, the rejects and the children. Jesus not only loved children, he admired them. I tend to think of children as a nuisance. Be patient with them. Treat them kindly, and as soon as politely possible "get rid of them", so I can work with adults. Jesus says that "children - the least and the last are those whom we are to serve. "Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Every Sunday after church the brothers and sisters go out to a nearby restaurant. Usually we are joined by a 9-10 year old girl who is developmentally behind. We don't know where she lives or who she belongs to, but she always shows up as the meal is served. It is very difficult to understand what she says, she may have a speech impediment as well. The other day I teased her saying "Oh, we already ate." One of our church members quickly reminded me "Be careful Allan, you might be sending Jesus away." They were right! Jesus, please come and eat your fill!
Not only this, but Jesus says that children have admirable qualities which are essential to adults as well. What comes naturally to children we need to relearn.
Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was at home, he asked the disciples, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept silent, for on the road they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. So he sat down and called the twelve. He told them, "If anyone wants to be first he must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and had him stand among them. He took him in his arms and said to them, "Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:33-37)
Some people were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. When Jesus saw this, he became furious and told them, "Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away. For the kingdom of God belongs to people like these. Truly I tell you, whoever doesn't receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never get into it at all." Then he picked them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and tenderly blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)
In the New Testament, there are that many times when Jesus gets angry. He was angry when he cleansed the temple. He got disgusted with people's unbelief and hardness of heart. He went after the religious leaders with a vengance. There are probably a few more incidents, but this one really stands out to me. It says Jesus was "furious". He was really ticked. Not long before he told them to "welcome" the children and now he turns around and they are sending children away! They just didn't get it! "For the kingdom of God belongs to people like these. Truly I tell you, whoever doesn't receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never get into it at all." The kingdom of God belongs to children! The children didn't do anything to deserve or earn the kingdom. They probably weren't even thinking about it or desiring it, but when Jesus offers it to them, they accept it unquestioningly. Jesus doesn't say that children are among the many different groups who will enter the kingdom; rather he says that we MUST receive the kingdom like a child or we will NEVER get into it. It seems that in some way children are the ONLY ones who will enter the kingdom of God. Become like a child and enter God's kingdom.
What is it about how children accept the kingdom of God that Jesus recommends so highly? I think Jesus must be referring in part to the ease and simplicity with which children accept the kingdom. "Hey would you like to come and see my kingdom?" "Yeah, sure! Let's go!" Adults, on the other hand, are always looking for the downside. "What is this going to cost me?" is a prime concern. What a difference between the two!
Lord, I want to be servant and welcomer of children. I want to accept you and your kingdom with the ease, simplicity and faith of a little child. Amen.
12:02:06 AM 
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