DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 23, 2012
FORBID THEM NOT
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16
There is so much violence against children. The innocent ones are so often scorned and set aside. As adults, many of us care not to tolerate the distractions that little ones bring. We want quiet and order and an undisturbed environments. We want adult talk, and adult conduct and conversation. But Jesus says that we are to "suffer the little ones." Yes, we are to move aside for the little ones. We are to make room for them; ensure that our environments are child friendly, child welcoming, child permitting. Jesus obviously doesn't see little ones as ramunctious creatures to be put aside. He instead wants us to learn lessons from our children. They are beautiful. Their eyes are full of wonder and innocence. They are caring, holding us close--trusting and believing in our good. They are full of energy and life and creativity. They are like the kingdom of God.
This brings me to thoughts of the Christmas story. Do you think that there was no room at the inn in Bethlehem because the innkeepers didn't want to be bothered with the possibility of a newborn in their midst? I wonder if the innkeepers ignored the birth of Mary's firstborn son, leaving him outside in the manger (read Luke 2:7).
Today, let us not ignore the little ones...let us not forbid them.
