Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [15] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." [16] And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Let the Children Come to me… This verse circles the rims of many a Lutheran Baptismal font. It is fitting. For it is in baptism that we bring children to be blessed by Jesus. It is the blessing he gives. And it is a blessing, an anointing with the Holy Spirit. Of course this is where Lutherans differ with so many Anabaptist groups. I find it odd, but many Baptists seem to treat baptism almost as if it were a curse. If not a curse, then somehow a voluntary acceptance of a heavy yoke. Jesus never speaks of baptism in the terms they do, neither do Paul or Peter. Baptism is always mentioned in the context of gift and blessing. It is through baptism that one receives the Holy Spirit. It is great. Jesus blesses us with the Holy Spirit, with his kingdom in baptism.
To such as these belong the kingdom of God…. So much so that if we do not enter like little children we will not enter the kingdom of God. Now the only way one enters the kingdom of God is through faith. So the little children are capable of faith, and we should mimick this. Little children are normally a bit smarter than us adults in this. Adults get caught up on physics and philosophy, let their faith be undermined by vain philosophy of men. Children, they believe in God, Almighty as he is, and figure if he can create the world he can do whatever he wants, when he wants and who are we to contradict.
1 comment:
The thing to watch out for, Luther would say, that we are now saddled with the devil as an enemy for the rest of our lives. We're enlisted into a fight.
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