Matthew 19:13-15 – And they were bringing children to him to
put his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. But Jesus said,
“Let the children come to me for the kingdom of heaven belongs the such as
these.” And he put his hands on them and went his way.
Two things stood out to me these past few days reading while
the internet was down. First, the disciples trying to control access to Jesus.
In this passage, they are fixing something that isn’t broken. I can relate.
Perhaps they thought Jesus wouldn’t like it. Or that children were not worth
his time and energy. I like the way Jesus patiently corrects him here. Which
leads us to …
Thing number two. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these. This is not a sentimental statement about how open children are and how
innocent they are. People then did not idolize childhood as we do; these kids
were not innocent. They had most likely seen and experience violence, death,
horrible disfigurement. Life was brutal! No, it because children are the most vulnerable members of society,
according to Jesus.
Many children did not live to adulthood, which is why having
children was important. Many didn’t make it even to age five due to disease,
violence, and just plain bad luck. Jesus is saying the most vulnerable among us
own the kingdom of heaven. Who are the most vulnerable among us today? Poor
people, black people, people of color, oppressed people, the elderly, disabled
people, and again children. And for the disciples this was yet another radical
statement. Children, being least useful, were the least important members of
society. Of course they were loved, which is why their parents were bringing
them forward. But in the grand scheme, they came behind men and women. (I am
thinking more of Roman society, not sure about Jewish.)
Jesus is telling them they need to reorient their thinking.
Do we?
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