Embraced by Jesus

“Truly I tell you,

whoever does not receive the kingdom of God

as a little child will never enter it.”

And he took them up in his arms,

laid his hands on them, and blessed them.”

(from Mk 10:2-16)

Kids Say the Darndest Things a television program that ran 1959 to 1967 and hosted by Art Linkletter would begin by asking a child question about a life topic, such as “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

The child usually responded with their own innocent, timeless wit and wisdom often comical perspective of life through a child’s eyes.

Previously, Jesus heard the disciples arguing about who was the greatest, so he scolds the disciples, takes a child – a first century image of having little rights, seen as a nuisance, and merely tolerated – takes it in his arms and says, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”

Here, Jesus does something else.

Children are approaching Jesus who welcomes them scolding the disciples who try keeping them away.

In the Kingdom of God, one welcomes others like welcoming children who are vulnerable and low in status.

In Jesus’ day of an honor and shame society, people eagerly welcomed those of high status by provide banquets increasing their own honor.

Children were of low status, so there was no benefit in providing a banquet for children.

When Jesus takes a child in his arms he is saying, again, God is experienced in weakness, not in power.

To enter God’s Kingdom is to faithfully serve the last and least in Jesus’ name.

Beginning with Genesis, the Bible stories tell us that God has embraced us and remained faithful.

That is the Good News.