Blessing the Little Ones
- Terry Sweeney
- Oct 4, 2009
October 4, 2009
Mark 10.13-16
The Rev. W. Terry Sweeney
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10.13-16
In the Name of God: + Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The seminary I graduated from had a tradition of presenting a musical to the student body right after General Ordination Exams were taken by the seniors. . . it was a way to relieve the tension of a very difficult week of exams.
Our middler year we presented The Wizard of Oz. I had secretly wanted to play the role of the Scarecrow for years – so I auditioned and through a series of circumstances was given the part.
One of my favorite scenes was when Dorothy had left Munchkin land and was following the yellow brick road and she came to a cross roads and didn’t know what to do.
She says to Toto, “Now which way do we go?”
A Scarecrow on a pole in the cornfield across from Dorothy points to right and says, “That way is a very nice way.”
Dorothy says to Toto (as he barks), “Who said that?”
Toto continues to bark at the Scarecrow. And Dorothy says to Toto, “Don't be silly, Toto. Scarecrows....don’t talk”
The scarecrow points to left with his other arm and says, “It’s pleasant down that way, too”
She looks around a bit then says, “That's funny. Wasn't he pointing the other way?”
Scarecrow: Of course, people do.... (the Scarecrow crosses his arms and points in both directions)...go both ways!
Dorothy: Why....you did say something, didn't you?
The Scarecrow shakes his head, then nods --
DOROTHY: Are you doing that on purpose, or can't you make up your mind?
Scarecrow (shows his straw head) That's the trouble. I can't make up my mind. I haven't got a brain -- only straw.And eventually Dorothy invites the scarecrow to join her on the journey to see the Wizard of Oz with the hope the wizard could give the scarecrow a brain. . . and off they go dancing and singing down the yellow brick road.
Dorothy’s dilemma was to find the answer to her question, “Now which way do we go?”
Eventually she learned there was only one way to Oz.
Last Saturday evening we were driving down the road which takes us from our mountain condo to the city . . . about four miles down the hill. The first mile or so there is only one road available. It had been raining very hard all day and we came to a place where the road had washed out as a mud slide and the police had sealed it off.
We were stranded unless the only road out opened back up.
As much as we like lots of choices, there is often only one way to get where we’re going.
Likewise sometimes there’s only one entrance or one password or one ticket that gets us in.
Anything else we try – some other way – some other password – some other ticket – doesn’t work.
Jesus talks about a specific “way” or attitude that leads to entry into His kingdom and I want to look briefly at that this morning.
Open your bibles to Mark chapter 10 and find verse 13.
I’m aware that some of you are aware that I’ve not read Mark 10.2-12 which deals with divorce . . . . . and because I’ve intentionally done that you may either be grateful that you don’t have to sit through that sort of sermon or some of you may think I’ve wimped out.
As a rule I don’t shy away from difficult issues and in this instance felt moved to focus on the second part of the gospel reading.
It’s short enough to read again – so please listen and follow along:
13 People were bringing little children (Luke 18.15 makes it clear that these were infants) to Jesus to have him touch them (Matthew says, “lay His hands on them and pray), but the disciples rebuked them.
Infants were being brought to Jesus to secure His blessing upon their futures.
We have to be careful not to make this sound magical – the parents saw the goodness and extra-ordinary blessedness that surrounds Jesus and therefore it would be natural to be drawn to Jesus.
In a world of violence and uncertainty – in a world of high infant mortality – children were being brought to Jesus so he could lay hands on them, perhaps hold them.
So Christ’s tender touch and words of blessing were sought after and he graciously responded.
Oddly enough for some unknown reason the disciples seem to see children as an annoying distraction and so as they did in 9.36-37 tried to act as gatekeepers . . . . . Parents made a request and “The disciples rebuked them.”
They didn’t want to be bothered.
It’s been suggested that the disciples may have been standing in a doorway – blocking it – shooing people away – that’s possible since the time and place of this incident has been speculated to have been as Jesus was traveling toward Jerusalem at a stop in Perea.
The disciples are clearly using some rule of thumb to determine who gets into the house.
Did Jesus ask them to use some discretion? Have they taken this upon themselves?
There is no indication that Jesus was tired and need of rest or that a crowd had been with Him all day long or any such thing.
We do know that as people brought the sick to Jesus now they are bringing their children.
We have to see this as them believing that in Jesus’ touch and blessing something that only God can accomplish happens.
So Jesus has a different understanding of children and responds to the parents and the disciples. . . . .
First His response to the disciples. . . . v. 14.
14 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.
This is the only place in the Gospels where it is said that Jesus was indignant.
The choice of the word “Indignant” comes from his obvious anger and frustration.
The original language uses a word rooted in two other words which mean “much grieved” which we then read it as “indignant”. . . A righteous anger, frustration and sorrow.
The Message says it this way: Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom.
Jesus has this amazing love in Him for the 12 and the little ones.
It hurts and grieves Him when any barrier gets in-between His love and them.
His indignation doesn’t lessen His love for the 12 but it does act to show them the depth of His emotion and deep feelings for the people – even the least and smallest.
In the days to come they will remember His love – and they will be challenged to duplicate it – and break down barriers that get in the way of His love for the world and their ministry to go and tell and be His messengers.
15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Jesus taught that the KOG is for those whose simple faith leads them to follow Christ.
They believe in Him, trust in Him, find their life in Him.
These little ones in principle because they are unfettered in their acceptance of Christ are examples of those who will enter the KOG.
Look at this – these kids have no power, or influence – they receive simply without because they are unspoiled by the world.
These children make no claims against God – they don’t behave as if God owes them anything – and in response God gives them everything! That’s Grace and Love.
The kingdom is entered by those who know they are helpless and small, without any claim on it or merit to be part of it.
To enter we have to receive it “as a little child”? What might that mean?
It’s the simple, humble, unquestioning, trustful manner in which a child accepts what is offered to her/him.
Use below to illustrate and comment on:
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. John 3:36
16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Now His response to the parents request to touch and bless their infant children.
His response to the parents is quite different from the rebuke given to the 12.
Moms and dada are carrying their children to Jesus. . . . one after another they approach Him . . . . they stand right in His presence.
He’s inches away.
The heart of Jesus goes out to each child – he holds them – lays His hands upon them and prayers to His Father for them!
Then He hands the child back.
These children were holy seed – unassuming, little ones – in one respect already part of the KOG.
Many parents take their children to font of baptism and offer them to God through water and the Holy Spirit.
Children are dedicated to Christ – prayers are said for them. . . they are set apart as Samuel was for the Lord.
Imagine this dialogue: My son, when you were just a few months old the Master came to this village. There was a great deal of excitement – we had heard so much about Him – your mother and I took you to Him – He held you, layed His hands on You and raising His head to heaven prayed to the Father on your behalf.
He was with you then – he received you and said you – you my son – were the model of those who would enter His kingdom.
Jesus did a number of things for the family:
Jesus honored marriage saying it is indissoluble as a divine institution (Mark 10.5-9)
He accorded an equal standing before God between husband and wife (Mark 10.11-12)
He instructed children to honor their parents (Mark 7.6-13)
He loved the little ones, took them into His arms and blessed them (Mark 10.13-16)
Let us pray.
Amen.
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