Focus
Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for a peace at this time.
Read
Luke 18:15-19 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
Reflect
“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them…” As folks were bringing infants and children to Jesus so he might touch them, we are told that the disciples sternly ordered them not to do it. I wonder what that looks like in the 21st Century? What are some of the things we do to try and keep folks (especially children) away from Jesus?
I’m thinking about the congregations who refuse to listen to the young people in their churches. I’m thinking of children who are told that they are better to be seen than heard. I’m thinking about folks who are so wrapped up in extracurricular stuff that we have no time for Jesus.
No, we may not be sternly ordering them away from Jesus; but we are unintentionally keeping them away from the Body of Christ, the Family of Faith, the Holy Table, the places where we are most likely to encounter our Lord and Savior.
More than that, we have so much to learn from our young people. Afterall, it was Jesus who said, “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
Pray
O God, help us to welcome all of your children as you have welcomed us. And, help to never be stumbling blocks to those around us. Guide us into your ways of welcome, hope, peace, joy, and love. For it is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Go with God!
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.