Mk 10:13-(16)
We sat at the kitchen table trying to play a board game with our friends. I was mildly irritated. The annoyance had been gradually building throughout the evening. Their little child was insisting that she be included in the game. We knew that she could not comprehend the rules or the concept of the game. Her parents struggled with the task of excluding her from our fun. They were doing their best to not hurt her feelings while at the same time insisting that she play with toys that were designed for her age group.
In another setting there was annoyance as well. The task oriented disciples wanted to screen the visitors that came to Jesus. Now, parents were insisting that Jesus see their little children, touch them, and bless them. Just as the disciples were about to exert their self-ordained authority as \”Jesus Protectors\” the Master spoke to say that He WANTED the little children to come to Him. In fact, He went on to say that unless we come to Him in the transparency and weakness of a little child we cannot have a relationship with Him. We strive for sophistication and strength when all along we need to realize our inadequacy and relinquish control of our lives to Him. We need to come to Jesus as \”little children.\”