15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
I know what
a shock…I picked a lesson that involves children. More and more I hear Jesus words in my ear,
“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them: for to such belongs the
kingdom of God.” When I think about the
children we serve at the Center for Children I think about the children that
are typically developing, the child who is autistic, the child whose parents
don’t work as a team any longer, the child who has medical needs, the compliant
child, the disruptive child and all the children in-between. How much different would my calling be if
Jesus had said let the well behaved, typically developing, child of perfect
parents come to me, but he just said let
the children come. The parents who
brought their children to Jesus wanted Jesus to lay his hands upon them. They knew of the healing power, both physical
and spiritual, which came from Jesus’ touch. If I am to be the hands and feet
of Jesus then in my work and life, I must want the children to come to me, to
CFC and to know Christ. I must invite all the children, not just the kids that
are easy to be with and as we know the ones that are easy today might be the difficult
ones tomorrow. Jesus clearly shows us that
no one is unimportant to God. He comes to each person individually, no
matter the age, that he might touch him or her with his healing love and
power.
So here is
the challenge, do you /I show kindness to the youth we encounter in our
neighborhood, home and church and do we pray for them that they may grow in the
knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ?
“Lord, may I
become better at making sure our children and youth are given every opportunity
to come to you and be given your blessing and healing power. Make our children and youth grow strong in spirit
and faith that they may follow you passionately. And as we grow with age, may
we never lose that child-like simplicity and humility which draws us into your
loving presence. Amen”
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