Let the Little Children Come to Me
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
My 18-month-old son loves to drive. That is, he loves to stand in the driver’s seat and grab the wheel and pretend like he’s driving. He messes with the switches and buttons. But he never goes anywhere. He’s not strong enough to push the button that lets him put the car in drive. He’s not tall enough to reach the pedals.
Of course, he can’t go anywhere by himself. He doesn’t walk to the park alone. He doesn’t go to the store by himself. He doesn’t drive himself to church. He has to be taken to wherever he goes.
Even when kids get older, there aren’t many places they can get to alone. Maybe if there’s a park in your neighborhood, you’ll let them go alone. Maybe if their school is within walking distance you’ll let them take themselves. But otherwise, you go with them to the park. You drive them to school or make sure they get on the bus. You take them to sports, to music, to dance, to whatever. Parents make sure their kids get places.
Perhaps a little differently from what happened with the little children and Jesus, the number one thing that keeps kids from church is that no one takes them. If Mom and Dad feel like church isn’t a priority, how will the kids make it a priority? If Mom and Dad don’t bring them to Sunday School, how will they go? If Mom and Dad don’t even take time to watch church online, will the kids take the time?
Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Let’s cut through the excuses. This is our most important responsibility as parents. Yes, bigger than sports or dance. Bigger even than school. This is about knowing Jesus, the Savior of the world, and receiving from him the wonderful gift of faith that grants eternal life. It’s about bringing our kids to him so they know he holds them in his arms. And, as an added bonus, we come to him, too, with childlike faith to be held by him.
What if you don’t have kids, or your kids are all grown up? Jesus still says the same thing. “Let them come to me.” The disciples thought Jesus was too busy for the kids. But Jesus dropped everything for them.
My same 18-month-old son who likes to drive also likes to talk. And if you’ve ever been in church with him, you know it’s true. I can tune out any other child’s voice at church, but not my son’s. Maybe it’s fatherly instinct. Maybe it’s embarrassment.
Sure, we know church is supposed to be a place for quiet reflection. But because Jesus, who loves us, loves the little children, even the noisy ones, we want to make sure his house is welcoming to his little ones, too, and to their parents. We can do that by offering the kid a smile. By talking to them (outside of worship, of course). Even by offering to help Mom and Dad (pandemic permitting), so they can sit and be a part of the service.Together, we can bring the little children to Jesus, and come to worship him as one family.