Let the Little Children Come!
September 19, 2021
Mark 9:30-37
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
Our gospel lesson and indeed all our lessons are a bit disturbing. In our short lesson from Jeremiah, the prophet has been the mediator of God’s covenant with his people, but the people have become so evil that the covenant has been irreparably broken. Now the people are out to get him and Jeremiah turns to God in lament. Psalm 54 is similar to our Jeremiah reading. The psalmist calls out God because his enemies have risen against him. He appeals to God on his behalf and turns to the Lord in faith and thanksgiving. God is his helper and defender. He implores God to pronounce judgement on his enemies? James presents us with the question: Are we a friend of the world or a friend of God? Which brings us to our gospel lesson.
In today’s gospel lesson, Jesus and his disciples are traveling through Galilee and Jesus predicts his betrayal, murder, and resurrection. The disciples do not understand what Jesus is telling them and they are afraid to ask Him. So, they respond with silence! Don’t they want to know the answers to their questions?
Cluelessly, as they walk along on their way to Capernaum, they begin to argue. They ignore the lessons of discipleship Jesus previously taught them—that they are to look to the needs of others; love rather than strive for power and status; and in trying to save their lives they will lose them, but if they lose their lives for Jesus’ sake they will save them.
Instead, they squabble about who is the greatest amongst them. When they arrive at their destination Jesus asks them what they’ve been arguing about. Again they respond with silence. Then Jesus sets The Twelve straight, with a surprising example of discipleship. He says, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” He places a little child before them. Then he takes the child into His arms and says to his disciples. “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” This image is what really touched and stood out for me. On the one hand Jesus holds a little child in his arms and on the other hand is admonishing his disciples who have been arguing about who is the greatest. Even after Jesus tells them what is going to happen to him, it goes right over their heads. It is quite a contrast and they are astonished by his actions and what Jesus tells them. Welcome one such child in my name and you welcome me.
When our family was living in New Jersey and Theo was just a little fella of maybe 3 or 4 years old, I was the choir director for our church and Jeff sang in the choir. So, our entire family went to church every Sunday. Theo wasn’t enamored of going to church. In fact he could be quite a challenge, crawling under the pews, playing with his toys along the top of the pews, and sometimes distracting parishioners in front of us. But when we drove home, he would make a comment or ask about something the pastor said in his sermon. Jeff and I were astonished. Theo was playing, but he was listening. He was being reached.
There have been times when parents have told me they are reluctant to bring their children to worship. They are afraid they will be disruptive and will annoy other members of the congregation. But one never knows how the Holy Spirit may reach a child during worship. I have seen kids direct the choir while the anthem is being sung! So, as far as I’m concerned…Let the little children come!
We really don’t know the age of the child in Mark’s gospel lesson, but we do know that this gesture is disturbing to the disciples. Not only is Jesus honoring and welcoming a mere child, but he is equating one’s welcome of such a child with welcoming Jesus himself—and even more upsetting, with welcoming the God who sent him. Let all the children come no matter their age.
When I asked Kelli, when she was planing to have the Youth’s Mission Trip presentation, she shrugged her shoulders and asked, When can we have it. I said, why don’t we have it the same Sunday as the Sunday School kickoff. We can call the day Youth Sunday. We also have a young person who needs to make his first communion, maybe we can get one of our youth to play an instrument, and have the kids write the prayers, and conduct almost the entire service…even the sermon. She said, We can do that? And I said, Yes, why not? I think it would be great! Pastor Brown agreed.
So Kelli ran with the idea, I gave her an outline of the service, we met with the kids to plan it. They picked the lessons and music. And then Kelli and the kids did the rest of the work. They made presentations for the sermons, wrote the prayers and participated in almost all the parts of the service. They did a fabulous job and it was wonderful and uplifting for our congregation. Let the children come and let our youth have opportunities to participate and lead worship!
Now this gospel lesson, touching as it is, is not just a sentimental moment. A child in ancient society was at the bottom of socio-economic scale and was the epitome of the most subservient human being. The Greek word the gospel writer uses for child has a double meaning. A child can be of one’s immediate offspring, a slave or servant. So, Jesus is teaching his disciples another lesson about discipleship.
Further more, I see a deeper meaning in this lesson. Could not the image of a child be someone who is young in the faith, a seeker—someone who wants to know more about matters of faith, a visitor who is curious, or even someone whose life has been broken either physically, emotionally, or spiritually and they come to find comfort and solace? After all, we are all God’s beloved children!
When it comes down it, Jesus teaches us about discipleship by turning our social assumptions inside out. Just as the saving of one’s life requires its sacrifice for the gospel’s sake, so too does discipleship demand our taking a place as everyone’s servant and to welcome other “children” in Jesus’ name. Let all the children, no matter their age!
James’ lesson focuses on what it means to be a disciple. Following Christ, being God’s friend, is not simply a matter of getting work done for the Lord. Rather, it is following Christ with our whole being and from our heart.
Wisdom is born from above in order to spread healthy and holy ways of being a community. James highlights in this letter the damage done to a community when an individual takes action based on the wisdom of the world. He says, there will be disorder, wickedness, and even murder. If you covet, your cravings will lead you away from God as well as away from your neighbor. So, show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom from above.” Be invitational, not manipulative or bullying. Our actions and choices can make for peace, beauty, joy, and abundance. Be willing to yield. Be curious, not judgmental. Judgment leads to defensiveness and may cause us to miss out on an invitation from God to try something new. After all, God has a willingness to yield to us rather than to love us by control and domination. Be merciful and let the fruit of the spirit abide in you—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Be impartial and genuine. James calls out his community’s misbehavior, for showing partiality to the rich and powerful. We are challenged not to be partial for the things of this world that betray our allegiance to God. These are the ways of discipleship.
God calls us to discipleship. It doesn’t matter what age we are. Theo, was brought to church as a little child. Kelli and the youth in our congregation were called to share some of their spiritual gifts. And each one of us….no matter our age…are called with wisdom from above to share the gifts and talents God has given us.
May God bless us and give us the courage, fortitude, and grace to follow his call to discipleship. May Jesus empower us in whatever way he calls us. And may the Holy Spirit grant us openness and desire to: Let all of God’s beloved come!
In Jesus name,
Amen.