Forward In Love - Saturday January 12

People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Luke 18:15-16

Did the people who brought the children really need to be rebuked? Had they done something so offensive, so wrong, that the only thing left was to rebuke them? Jesus didn’t think so.
Reading this passage reveals to us that the idea of, “let’s get the kids out of the way so that we can do the stuff that really matters” is not an American or modern idea. It is somehow rooted deep in the depravity of the human soul and seems to ache in the muscles of all societies.
But how will children learn if there is no place for them? How will the things that God is doing in our lives be passed along if we do not take the time to pass them on to the children? If the wanderings of Israel through the wilderness teach us nothing, they should at least teach us that success in one generation is only historical failure.
However, none of these are the greatest issues as it relates to children. The greatest issue simply is that God loves children. While we hustle and bustle to “keep the line moving”, Jesus violates protocol and woos the little children to the front of the line so that he can bless them.
I am afraid that Jesus’ disciples are still rebuking people who “waste time” on children, instead spending their time and energy on more important ministries. When we minister to adults, they can express gratitude, affirmation, and compliments. They might even bring an offering. But children seem to have nothing to give in return. Maybe that is the reason Jesus loves them so much. Children don’t know if you are a good kids’ worker or not. Even if they did, they wouldn’t know how to critique or affirm you. They only know if you are with them or not.
As we move forward in love, would you ask Jesus to reveal to you how you can make an impact in the life of a child?