Who Counts?

Text: Luke 18: 15-17

Today, a short passage. As far as the great theological truths in the Bible, it may seem almost inconsequential. What impact does it have on our perceptions of the savior on the way to Jerusalem to offer himself for the sins of the world? Jesus liked kids; of course he did, but what's the point? Thus far in this series we have been encouraged to go beneath the surface in order to discover hidden acts and attitudes which call for our repentance. Not to be excluded from this reflection is that which comes from seeing more clearly the Christ whom we are called to follow and emulate in our lives.

Let's take a look at the people in this incident, beginning with the parents of the little children. Notice first of all that the text does not say "mothers," but "parents." Both are involved because these little one are the most precious of all possessions, and they want to take every possible avenue toward their prospering and well being. What they expected to gain is not entirely clear; but once they saw that Jesus had gladly received the first few, others rushed at the opportunity to have this extraordinary man place his tender, miracle performing hands upon their beloved ones.

Then there were the disciples, who were certain that they should save their Lord from such mundane and meaningless activity. These boys and girls were cute, perhaps. but they had nothing to contribute to the very important business at hand. How easy it is to value people for their perceived potential to contribute to our cause, our well being, our dreams, or even our own construction of the present. Jesus values people for their "peopleness," not for their contribution.

Then Jesus uses the children to illustrate a great theological principle: watch a child receiving gifts, and you'll get a glimpse of what it means to have saving faith. A child on Christmas morning will ignore all else, even a gift just received, in order to take what is presently being offered; and he or she will put down what is most prized in order to receive something they do not yet understand and which they cannot identify until it is open. The only reason for doing this is trust in the one who is giving the gift. It's that kind of faith we are called to exhibit--trusting Christ not because we know what's coming, but because we have come to know and trust the one who offers it to us. Let's keep open hands; let's keep on embracing the needy ones, not because they can give back to us, but because they count in God's manner of valuation.