Embracing
After depictions of Jesus on the cross, the next most favourite artistic rendition of Jesus is of Him embracing children.God created us. He conceptualised and actualised pregnancy, birth and our eighteen year development. When you stop and analyse it, it is an awesome and holy process. There is so much that can go right and so much that can go wrong.
We have some incredible people in our congregation who absolutely pour themselves into children's ministry because they believe that it is easier to prevent heartache than it is to patch it up after things have gone wrong.
They are not far from Jesus' heart.
Earlier in this chapter we are told that the disciples tried to keep the children away from Jesus (after all, the Master was tired). When Jesus discovered their well-intentioned action He was indignant!Children remind us of the beauty and exuberance that God created us to enjoy. Children are very important to Jesus. I think our Lord embraced and loved the children because He saw the awesome creation potential locked up inside them. I think He delighted in their joy and affection and I think He was an absolute child-magnet.
FLASHBULB: Children giggling, snuggling and enthralled by Jesus. Jesus delighting in the children, drinking in their awesome potential and enjoying their sincere affection and trust. And both Jesus and the children thinking: "It doesn't get much better than this!"
| And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark10:16) |
