Busy being adults. Matthew 19.

I'm indebted to Janell Struckmeier for the inspiration behind today's post.

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. (Matthew 19:13-15 NLT)

In these three short verses, something of significance took place. Stop for a minute and think about the fact that out of all the incidents that must have occurred in Jesus' life, all three synoptic gospels record this one. Once again Jesus used the present moment to both do something that needed to be done, and to teach His followers something that needed to be learned.

The blessing of children by the elders and rabbis was a custom in first century Palestine. While typically, this was done formally on the Day of Atonement, it seems likely that it was a common practice whenever a special teacher came into the area. The placing of hands on head, was a way to show acceptance and identification with the children, and affection, too.

The disciples saw this request as an intrusion into their adult stuff. "Hey, the teacher's busy teaching us. We've got Kingdom business to attend to. Perhaps another time. Parents, surely you've seen how many adults need the Rabbi's time.? And keep the kids quiet while you're leaving!"

I see Jesus' response as primarily one of affection and joy. Of course He'd want to take the time to touch and bless each one coming to Him. It would be a pleasure, not a chore. At the same time, when He saw the disciples' response, He knew they need to learn something too.

The first lesson He taught them is that the children are significant. Just because we're busy talking about life in the Kingdom, doesn't mean that these children shouldn't be allowed to receive Kingdom blessings too. They are significant on their own. "Let them come. Don't stop them."

One of the implications of this lesson is that the children have value and needs of their own, right where they are. Not just as "the future." Not just as we sometimes say in church, as "a way to appeal to the family", or as "a way to reach the parents for Jesus." Right now in their life, right where they are, they need the blessing of Jesus just like adults need that blessing.

The second lesson flows out of the first. We can understand what the Kingdom is about, what is valuable and what isn't, in the example of these children. "The Kingdom belongs to such as these." Not only did Jesus treat the children as significant, He said that it was their insignificance and powerlessness in their society, that made them significant in the Kingdom of Heaven. They were the example of who is important in the Kingdom -- those who come in trust, who come as outcasts, as powerless, as insignificant -- those are the ones who will receive full acceptance and new importance in the Kingdom. Jesus overturned the commonly held values of society, just as surely as He later would the money-changers' tables in the temple.

Who are the children seeking God's blessing in your life? Who are the invisible, the powerless, the ones who are kind of a bother when we're busy doing our adult stuff? Who do we need to see as significant today? And does our attitude need any adjustment when it comes to our position in the Kingdom?