First off, let me say, “How good it is to be with you again! You have been missed and prayed for…I am thankful for this time of prayer together.
This is another one – “hot off the press” – written especially with you in mind.
The Pharisees are at it again. They are trying to test Jesus. They are trying to entrap him. They hope he will suffer the same fate as John, the Baptizer before him. Red flags should be flying all over the air!
It is all just game playing.
It is all just drama.
It is all just smoke and mirrors.
You know you reach a certain point in your life, when you need neither. Let the “game playing” and the “drama” be for “others.” Life is too short…to be playing “games”…life is too precious for “drama…”
Thank God, there comes a point and a time, when we move on…
Why waste such vital and important time?
So, in this theological debate and conflict over “legalism” and what is “lawful” – and “what is permitted” -Jesus again wins the day! As he is wont to do!
Immediately, there is a shift in our Marcan Pericope. Quickly it occurs! Almost like an insertion – out of nowhere!
It seems little children were being brought before Jesus. This is a favorite and much loved passage. Loved, cherished and adored by so many…people.
We can see it in our mind’s eye – almost as if, we were there, as if, we were present. As if, we were onlookers…
Small little children…restless, squirming, chatterboxes of children…filled with enthusiasm and vitality, a flourish of activity, you know how they can be!
They are or can be in constant movement.
Some in their parents arms, “others” moving freely, curious and checking out their new surroundings…
They come to see the Rabbi from Nazareth in Galilee. They come seeking a blessing. They come hoping to be touched. They come hoping to see the man. …To get a glimpse… They come JUST to be in his PRESENCE.
Their parents are filled with hopeful excitement…their parents feeling honored and heart-warmed.
This is big stuff.
When all of a sudden they are forbidden… They are told to leave… all of them. The whole group! The rabbi is too busy. He does not have time for such as these…
The rabbi has better things to do with his time.
Their passage way is blocked. They are deterred. Many have come all this way for nothing. They have endured the heat of the day…and the relentless questions – of the children – — “Are we there yet?” “How much longer?” “When will we see him?” “What will he be like?”
And Jesus, (of course) will have none of this. He stops them all in their tracks.
Again, the drama must be brought to an end.
“DO NOT STOP THE LITTLE CHILDREN- AND FORBID THEM NOT – for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
You want to be with God forever? Is that your goal? Is that your desire?
Then you must be like little children.
Loving.
Open.
Believing.
Trusting.
Accepting.
Eyes wide open.
Questioning.
Embracing.
…Like little children…
Free spirits…
So, Jesus, takes time for the children, just as he takes time for all of those in any kind of need.
He is there. He is supportive. He is present. He makes the time.
He takes them up in his arms and blesses them.
May we become like “little children.”
I pray it is so.
Amen.