Jesus Loves Us Little Children - and Has Gifts for Us

It's a familiar scene to Bible readers -- Jesus and his disciples are discussing deep, important spiritual matters, and little children interrupt them. The disciples try to push the kids away but Jesus intervenes and calls them over. It's a lot more than "cute." This scene shows the very essence of Jesus' ministry, then and forever. Jesus' words and actions open up two
very important principles:  first, God calls us to himself; and next, God intends to bless us.

In Mark 10:16, Jesus picks the children up in his arms. The disciples were willing to shoo the kids away but Jesus not only called them over, he picked them up! He bent down and did the real work of bringing them into his arms. They didn't have to jump, climb, find a ladder or rebuild the Tower of Babel. Jesus -- God himself in the flesh -- reached down and picked them up. In just the same way, our salvation doesn't depend on us, even though when we hear the Good News we respond to God in what little faith we have. No, the hard work was done by God himself, as the Word entered flesh and came to live with us (John 1:14). Paul contrasts the way of works with the way of faith in Romans 10:5-13, to show us that the triune God has reached out to us already and given us everything we need in order to be saved (even our faith).

"And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them."  This summarizes in a very short way the desire -- yes, the determination! -- our Creator has to give us good things. What sort of blessing was it? We don't know. But it wasn't some sort of wishful-thinking prayer that we sometimes pray. It was the real deal. Jesus had the authority to give a blessing. Some Hollywood type could imagine here that those children grew up to be apostles and other pillars of the early church -- and that's possible. But it's always been the intent of the Almighty to bless his children, no matter how little we look for it or cooperate with him in receiving his love.

In Luke 11:11-13, we read of Jesus telling his disciples about God's desire to bless us with the Holy Spirit's presence and power: "If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

What do you desire from God? He wants to give you good things more than you want to receive them. What kinds of blessings does he want to give you? Eternal life and peace through Jesus, he's already given you. How many more gifts are available to you through the Holy Spirit? How much more of life opens up to us when we are fully receptive and responsive to God's Spirit? Are you open to receive that life, like a little child?