What is intriguing to me is the reasons for the crowds to be there. Some came to learn. Jesus obliged and taught them. Some were curious to see this wonder-working rabbi that seemed to rile the authorities so much. Some came for healing, either for themselves or for friends and loved ones. Then there was this group of parents that came to Him. They knew enough about Jesus to know that He was knowledgable and powerful. They knew He taught about truths of God's Kingdom, claiming that the Kingdom was at hand. And so they brought their kids so that this misfit with His motley crew of disciples would bless their children. After all, what had they to lose? World authorities were proving to be impediments in their lives, and the so-called religious authorities weren't doing much for them either. Here was a man who offered something different.
Imagine how difficult it would be, then, to witness His disciples trying to keep your kids away from such a man. Think of what this would communicate to them... that God's Kingdom wasn't for kids! That this incredible life that Jesus was offering was only for big people. Imagine the choice parents would be faced with if this was true. Do I leave my kids to follow this man? Do I leave them behind? Or do I pass up on this opportunity to stay with them?
This, to me, is the biggest reason that Jesus was "irate" with them (The Message). It says that they shoed the children off. Jesus came as a child, not as an adult, incarnate as an endangered baby. He was Savior to the nations, and He came for young and old. To shoe away the children was to force them away from the only true source of life that existed (makes me wonder if the disciples really fully believed this yet), and it forced parents to choose between Jesus and their children. I can't imagine something making the Son of God more furious than this. Makes my blood boil just thinking about it.
Do I see a child and immediately react with annoyance? Or do I see a little one and light up inside? Do I make it simple to embrace Jesus (for anyone--in the "simplicity of a child")? Or do I muck it up with my own ideas?
God's Kingdom is for all. And Jesus Christ is the only reason I have any right to touch it at all. My takeaways? First, embrace Jesus--and embrace His Kingdom. Second, never do anything that gets between a child (and a child's family) and Jesus. In fact, go out of your way to make it easier for them! Third, don't muck up the beautiful simplicity of the gospel with my own ideas and takes on things. It's Jesus... only. Fourth, as you observe a child simply loving Jesus, join in! Enjoy Him as a child enjoys Him! Do you feel like dancing over Him? Then dance! Do you want to sing and bounce in place with a little one's energy? Do it! (You wouldn't have that energy but for Him anyway). Fifth (and these come in no particular order), come to Jesus to learn, to be healed, to be blessed, and to lead another (such as a child) to such a blessing. Embrace Him with joy and with the simplicity of a child. Any other agenda is flawed and full of gas.
Father, I embrace Your Son today. Fill me with joy in Him! May I dance in Him today, not just walk! May I be blessed and healed, and show me how to lead another to such an experience. Please bless my children today... may they be fully devoted to Jesus, embracing Him with incredible joy. Help me not to muck up Your beauty with my self--in fact, put that self to death!
Father, fling laboring harvesters into Your harvest field today. Please! Begin with me!
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