Matthew 19:14

Jesus is calling out his disciples who were criticizing people for bringing children to him. Jesus allowing the children to come to him shows His openness and accessibility. In the cultural context of the time, children were seen as insignificant and without status. With Jesus welcoming them, he highlights the value and importance of all people regardless of status. Jesus wanted to remove obstacles that prevent people from coming to Him. Jesus is showing that the qualities of children – humble, dependence, and trust – as essential for entering the kingdom of heaven.

What we learn from Jesus is that we must not hinder anyone from coming to Jesus. The church should be a welcoming place for all. Unfortunately, different denominations and different leaders have restricted how certain people can serve and lead within their church. They will preach in a way that judges people in a different lifestyle and condemn them from feeling welcome in the church. Those who are vulnerable and marginalized need to be protected from these hinderances. We need to ensure that we teach from a place of love, grace, and mercy. I know the Bible can highlight consequences of not following God and show God as an angry person, but we must recognize that even God’s anger comes from a place of love and not malice. We wouldn’t/shouldn’t put fear into children’s lives in order for them to love us, so why would we do that for Jesus.

Next slice of manna: Generosity in Biblical Lending || Psalm 112:5 || Manna for the Mind #243