Part 2: Let the Children come to Me

Mark 10:13-16 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Context: There was an unwritten rule in Eastern culture that children were non-persons who should remain invisible when important things were happening. They were invisible, and the women who cared for them were not well regarded. Therefore the disciples obstruct people who bring children to Jesus. In a series of teachings, Jesus attempted to "suspend the rules" and make children important. Jesus calls and blesses them, not because they conjure sweet images of angelic innocence, but because he has concern for the vulnerable and scorned, for those ripe for exploitation.

Going Deeper: The text is not a call to become child-focused in such a way that becomes smothering, dominating, or projecting the failed expectations of parents onto them, but rather to offer children blessing instead of treating them as a nuisance or a distraction from what really matters. Blessing children is part of what really matters; because in blessing children, we prepare them to experience the fullness of the power and will of God to bless all who are vulnerable and small in the world.

Pondering: Who are the children in your life? How do you feel about them? How are you blessing them? Perhaps our job as parents and caregivers is to "call forth each child's destiny" Have you ever thought about what your child seems destined to do or be? Perhaps we should take the time to look within our children and find their unique strengths & talents and to name them out loud to each child. The verse in Proverbs 22:6 which says, "Train up a child in the way he/she should go, and when he gets old he will not depart from it" supports this claim. The phrase "in the way he/she should go" signifies in the way that this particular child of yours is bent. In short, the way God has uniquely made your child. Not the way you want your child to go, but the way God wants your child to go in life. What is unique about each of your children? How might you bless their individual way of being in the world especially as it differs from your own?

Praying for our Children and Others whom we Love: adapted Ephesians 1:16-18
Loving God, I have not stopped giving thanks for (name), remembering (name) in my prayers. God, I continue to ask you to give (name) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that (he/she/they) may know you better. I pray also that the eyes of (name's) heart will be enlightened so that (he/she/they) may know the HOPE to which (he/she/they) have been called, the RICHES of the glorious inheritance you offer each of us.