Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Forbid Them Not


  Mark 10
[10.13-16] The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom.

Lord Jesus--Here in this passage you were interested in the children that were being brought to you.  They didn't need to be healed they were just brought to you for no other reason than to be blessed by you.

Some of these children would be alive in the years that would see the destruction of their home land.  You knew that as you blessed them.  Some of these children were bound for happiness and some for great sorrow. As they were there before you,  they represented the future, the hope, and the investment of their parents.  There were loved little ones who their parents had taken the time to bring them to see the new Rabbi.

You took the energy and the time to publicly correct the behavior of your disciples.  As you were highlighting the essential role of these children in the kingdom, were you lifting them to the Father in prayer?  Were you asking for their protection? I have a sneaking suspicion that you were.

These words are almost haunting:  “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me." They repeat in my mind.  Lord,  don't let my action or inaction get between you and the little ones that you bring my way.

I wonder about the ways that we push children away right now in the church and in this culture. Family rooms where children are segregated in church...as if a little noise is going to hurt us? Nursing mom's made to feel as if there is something wrong with feeding their children? You said, "Don't push them away."

 Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

Lord Jesus--My acceptance of your kingdom is like a child. What are some implications of acceptance as a child?  There is vulnerability. There are almost limitless questions.  There is trust. There is energy. There is emotion. There is unbounded enthusiastic acceptance. Yes, I have to accept your kingdom's rule in my heart and life like a child.

Remind me of the blessing that comes with acceptance as a child when the vulnerability gets overwhelming.  Push me toward trust at the critical moments.  In the day the will begin before I am ready for it...let me live out your call in this day...a call to trust, vulnerability and accepting what this day brings as from your hand.

Peterson, Eugene H. (2006-06-15). The Message Remix 2.0: The Bible In contemporary Language (Kindle Locations 30893-30896). NAVPress - A. Kindle Edition. 

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Hardhearted?



Mark 10


010 [10.1-2] From there he went to the area of Judea across the Jordan. A crowd of people, as was so often the case, went along, and he, as he so often did, taught them. Pharisees came up, intending to give him a hard time. They asked, “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife?” [10.3] Jesus said, “What did Moses command?” [10.4] They answered, “Moses gave permission to fill out a certificate of dismissal and divorce her.” [10.5-9] Jesus said, “Moses wrote this command only as a concession to your hardhearted ways.

Lord Jesus-Concessions and hardheartedness are themes that have dogged the steps of your people. You were there when Moses made this decision to allow divorce.  These leaders who were tracking you around the country really were not interested in divorce   They just wanted to trip you and trap you.   You weren't interested in legality.  You were interested in soul work. You met them at the point of their questions...I would not have been that generous.

As I write this I wonder, where are the places that  I am hardhearted?  Where are the places where I just don't want to listen? If we were sitting on this park bench talking to me you might point them out...places where I hold on to tradition in stead of your grace.  Issues that I find it easier to avoid, than to look them squarely in the eye.

There are are those places where I think that I am being tenacious and you know me for who I am...stubborn and set in my ways.  Forgive me for the confusion and move me beyond my blind spots by your grace.  You continue to be interested in soul work and you call me to being open to you call in all sorts of places.  Lately,  I have noticed that you seem to be handling my blind spots differently.  It seems as if you edge me right up to them.   Then somehow you allow them to break through to the still, quiet place in my heart and the tears come.  I am not sure I like this recent turn of events and the Spirit's work, but I will follow wherever you lead.

In this day help me to follow you and to listen in the quiet place that the Spirit speaks to my heart words of grace, hope and courage.

Peterson, Eugene H. (2006-06-15). The Message Remix 2.0: The Bible In contemporary Language (Kindle Locations 30884-30892). NAVPress - A. Kindle Edition.