To whom does the Kingdom of God belong?
This week we are focusing on the second part of the Gospel, about children coming to Jesus.
Some people believe that the Kingdom of God belongs to people who go to church. Others believe that it belongs to people who always do the right thing. Maybe it belongs to those who know the right things. What do you think?
Jesus gives an unusual answer. In fact, he shows rather than tells the answer.
Imagine the crowd, pressing around Jesus as he comes into their village. One village after another, this would have been the scene, and it would soon have gotten tired. So here they are again, Jesus and his disciples, and the crowd swarms around, holding up their children for him to touch.
When the disciples tell them to go away, Jesus becomes indignant. It’s very interesting that Jesus reacts angrily against his friends, who are trying to protect him. Jesus becomes indignant because he passionately wants the children to come to him.
Children, who still have some of the original innocence God created us all with, reach out to Jesus. Their arms outstretched to Jesus, who is love. They see God’s love in him. And Jesus responds. How?
Jesus embraces them, he takes them into his arms, he surrounds them with his love. Then he blesses them with his divine blessing. Simply put, he touches them.
More than anything else, this is what Jesus wants for you. He asks that you become like a trusting child, reaching out to him. Then he will embrace you with his love, bless you, and touch you with his presence.
- Why do children want to come to Jesus?
- Have you ever really wanted to be closer to Jesus?
- How does Jesus feel about children, and all of us, wanting to come closer to Him?
- What barriers do you face when you want to approach Jesus, and how can He help you overcome them?