Monday October 1st, 2018 Mark 10:2-16
And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (verse 16)
It is a pleasant, warm day on the hillsides of Judea. I can see all of those excited parents surrounding Jesus, anxious to have him reach out and touch a blessing upon the head of their child. What a special gift they had brought their children to receive, only to be barred from coming near by the disciples. But wait, disappointment turned to joy when Jesus saw what was happening, called off the well-meaning bodyguards, and invited the children forward. I am sure he waited patiently until every last parent had stepped forward with their child. That is what Jesus would do!
Sometimes, we hear our regular church-attending disciples grumble when yet another young couple steps up to have their child baptized, only to perhaps never see them again. However, we must ask, is not this what Jesus would do? He loves the children, he wants to bless them. The parents have been moved, for whatever reason, to bring their child for the gift of Holy Baptism. Rather than rebuke their desire, let us rejoice in the seed being planted, and let us all feel blessed by the gifts so freely given by our Lord.
Loving God, may we never impede any child from receiving your special blessings. Amen. — ES
Contributed by Blessings for All
It is a pleasant, warm day on the hillsides of Judea. I can see all of those excited parents surrounding Jesus, anxious to have him reach out and touch a blessing upon the head of their child. What a special gift they had brought their children to receive, only to be barred from coming near by the disciples. But wait, disappointment turned to joy when Jesus saw what was happening, called off the well-meaning bodyguards, and invited the children forward. I am sure he waited patiently until every last parent had stepped forward with their child. That is what Jesus would do!
Sometimes, we hear our regular church-attending disciples grumble when yet another young couple steps up to have their child baptized, only to perhaps never see them again. However, we must ask, is not this what Jesus would do? He loves the children, he wants to bless them. The parents have been moved, for whatever reason, to bring their child for the gift of Holy Baptism. Rather than rebuke their desire, let us rejoice in the seed being planted, and let us all feel blessed by the gifts so freely given by our Lord.