"Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 10:14)
This whole chapter just screamed "relationships" to me. It started out with relationships between men and women. Just five chapters ago we read how John the Baptist was basically murdered because of his public opinions on marriage and divorce. In Chapter 19, verse 3 we read about the Pharisees trying to trick Jesus into choosing a side...in that day there were two schools of thought - one group supported divorce for any reason - the other only for marital unfaithfulness. Jesus' answer was just to focus on marriage - that it was more important for people to decide against divorce from the beginning...and that not everyone is intended to be married. Kind of different from the views we teach our children, isn't it!?! The idea of growing up, getting married, having children - it's kind of a fantasy world that children imagine and dream about...made me think that maybe, as parents, we should talk more seriously about it with our kids and pray more about it too.
Which brings up the children being brought to Jesus. The disciples rebuked the people bringing their kids to see Jesus...which means they've already forgotten Matt 18:5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." When they tried to prevent the children from bothering Jesus in our reading today, they (like so many in that time, and today) got caught up in the organization of our worldly kingdom, that they forgot about His divine purpose. The children don't think about all of the education, rituals, or outward appearances that adults get confused with...the children are an example of the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus.
Then finally we see the young rich man who wants to figure out what good deeds he can do to get into heaven. Jesus told him to follow the commandments, and when asked "which ones"...He only listed six, which upon further investigation, all refer to relationships with others. So the young man said he's done that already, then Jesus told him to sell all his stuff and give away his money. This, the young man would not do. He made wealth his idol here on earth...and in doing so he violated the first and greatest commandment. We haven't read it yet (but it's also in the Old Testament under Deuterotomy and Leviticus)...in Matthew 23 we will see verses 37-39 "Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbors as yourself'." Jesus was asking for childlike faith from the rich young man, don't you think?
Very interesting thought on marriage. You always here "there is someone out there for everyone"...Or is there? Something to think about as parents. Along those same lines telling our kids they can be whatever they want to be. Can set them up to fail. Our main focus should be more along the lines of God's plan for you may not be the same as your "plan"... not giving them false ideals of what is in store. Interesting.
ReplyDelete