Keepers of religious law aren’t much interested in entertaining brand new mission and vision statements. From the legal pads under their arms, the puzzle questions on their lips, and a growing paranoia that their way of doing things was being challenged, the leaders of the institution quizzed Jesus about the law. For those who have have always been on the inside of any institutional machine, a new message from the margins is rarely validated.
For those with power, yielding or letting go is hard. It’s hard for all of us, really. I’m fond of author Anne Lamott’s quote, “Everything I’ve ever had to let go of has claw marks on it”.
In today’s gospel reading*, Jesus is lured into the weeds about how he interprets a certain aspect of the law. He answers. Back at home, later that evening, his disciples want to continue to talk about it. He answers. The scene quickly changes, with a seemingly non sequitur shift, and we read that children are brought to Jesus in the hopes that he might touch them.
Jesus’ students, still in classroom mode, tried to shoo the children away. No time for day care, these are adult matters!
“Let them come to me!” Jesus cries. He chides them, warning never to come between him and these little ones. He goes on to equate kingdom knowledge and belonging with being childlike. They are at the center of the world! He draws the children unto himself, blessing each and every one. Quite the departure from law.
It’s hard to argue with the heart. Especially a wild heart like this. It’s like arguing about who owns the bush that’s aflame with God, instead of taking off your shoes in awe and reverence. You don’t haggle over children. You don’t love the law. The truth emerges when we lean into vulnerability and intimacy. The power of touch trumps the power of talk. It’s as if Jesus is saying, “drop all your pretenses–what it is you think you know–and hold the kingdom in your arms. All the rest of your words fall away.” Who doesn’t descend into the heart when the innocents draw near?
So pry your eyes from the law books, and look instead into the longing eyes of a child. Here you will find all the answers you need.
*Mark 10:2-16
Questions you might ponder:
- What is the greatest gift you’ve been given by a child?
- What does a childlike faith look like to you?
- Has theology, or the focus on “right” belief, ever distracted you from experiencing God?
-Jim Marsh, Jr., Bread of Life Church
