SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:13-16
I see this as a present issue still today: people want what Jesus represents (God’s blessing), but Jesus’ followers make it hard for them.
So many people are turned off by Jesus’ followers, some of them for good reasons.
History provides many sad examples of Jesus’ followers doing un-Jesus-like things.
True, they’re not the only ones, but we expect more from those who experience God’s mercy and Spirit through Jesus.
Do we as churches put up walls that keep people away: do we look down on people, do we demand change before they come, do we use in-house churchy language that confuses others, do we enjoy our closed circle cliques with few (if any) close relationships with ‘outsiders’.
I know, this passage is about children, and being like children… but what Jesus is address is the attitude and behaviour that keeps all people of all ages away.
It is childish (which could easily be called being ‘adultish’, looks exactly the same), not child-like, behaviour that keeps the walls up, that judges and separates, that keeps people from Jesus’ blessing.
Adultish or childish behaviour is rooted in sin, it is not age-associated.
As Christians, and churches, we need to be aware of how we are hindering people from Jesus, because the kingdom belongs to them too – it belongs to everyone.
We need to become Jesus-like (the true meaning of becoming like a child), for this is what God’s kingdom will be like; true Jesus seekers will be welcome, while the non-Jesus-like will not be at home there.
Observations/Application
God’s timing for this passage. I’m a grandparent again and also babysitting my grandson. I say jump and the grandson jumps – jumps into my arms 🙂 Total confidence/trust that he will be caught. This passage tells me once again about my faith.
I need to become like a small child – not in maturity, but in childlike faith – trusting totally that I am in the hands of my Father who will take care of me. With no ifs or whens or buts. Childlike faith. Their father is their all in all an my Father needs to be my All in all. I need to be running to the welcoming arms of my Father. Safe and secure.
The disciples didn’t want Christ to be busied by the little children. They were a bother and in the way of the mission. Really? The little children were the living testament how Christians need to receive the Good News – run and embrace it for it is the LifeLine for true living today and tomorrow.
Prayer
Help me each day anew Father to run to You for safety, protection, advice, security, voice, healing power, comfort, vision, direction, power, reassurance, . . . .
Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me.
Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.
Refrain
Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast
There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.
Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care,
Safe from the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears;
Only a few more trials, only a few more tears!
Refrain
Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge, Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is over;
Wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.
Refrain