Sermon Devotional: What makes kids flourish?

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)


On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Godspeed question is “What makes kids flourish?” The gospel of Mark helps us with the answer. But first we need to enter the time and place where the story unfolds.

Imagine the scene. Jesus is present and available to the people. “Crowds of people” have gathered, including Pharisees “who had come to test him” (10:1-2). The disciples are on edge and have heightened awareness of the dangers that this moment presents. The Pharisees advance to the front of the crowd and they set a verbal trap to trick Jesus into teaching contrary to Mosaic law about divorce and remarriage (10:1-10). Silenced for now by Jesus’ response, the Pharisees step back while the parents rush in.

The parents know stories of recent healings—a blind man can see (8:22-25) and a boy possessed by a demon is set free (9:14-29). They have heard Jesus teach a message framed in love and hope. In a tension-filled world of Roman domination and Jewish discord, parents are desperate to care for their beloved children. Moms and dads rush forward to present their children to Jesus. Like the woman who risked touching the edge of Jesus’ cloak as he walked by (Mk 5:21-34), these parents deeply desire the life-giving touch of Jesus for their children.

As the parents press in toward Jesus, the disciples panic because they feel responsibility to protect Jesus from bad actors who may get too close. But they misunderstand the moment and they miss Jesus’ message. Earlier, Jesus had been explicit about welcoming the least and the last. “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all. He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me’” (9:35-37). Receiving the least is welcoming God himself.

Rather than welcoming the children and their parents as Jesus had taught, the disciples rebuke the parents and put themselves between Jesus and the children. “The disciples scolded the parents for bothering him” (10:13). “Get back! Take those children away and leave the Teacher alone.” “When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples” (10:14). Jesus was “indignant” (10:14 NIV, ESV)! Angry and indignant—in this moment, Jesus’ patience is taxed. The disciples have missed an essential truth that Jesus has been teaching them. “He said to them, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it” (10:14-15).

Jesus says that those who wish to enter the Kingdom of God must come with childlikeness as their identity. What does a child have that qualifies them for the Kingdom? Children depend on and trust in the life-giving goodness of the parent. “Like a weaned child in her mother’s arms” (Ps 131:2) a child rests secure – calmed, quieted, assured of her belovedness, and surrendered to the good will of her caregiver.

What makes kids flourish? “Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them” (10:16).
 
Consider—
╬    Imagine yourself here: “Jesus took the child in his arms and placed his hands on his head and blessed him” (10:16). Don’t be afraid to receive this touch of Jesus’ hands and his blessing for you today. Imagine yourself in Jesus’ arms. Place your hands on your head now. Pray, “Jesus, I receive your gracious touch and blessing now. I am your child!”

╬   Telling one another our Pilgrimage stories is an essential part of this journey. One pilgrim, a retired nurse, answered the question, What makes kids flourish? “Children flourish with attention. When kids know that their parents’ eyes are on them, they explore freely and joyfully as they play.” Another pilgrim who is coach in a high school with troubled kids said that his kids flourish when honest relationship is extended. Every day he walks with Jesus into his school listening and watching for opportunities to tell his young men “I’m here. I see you.” Are you Godspeed-ing? Tell your stories to one another.

╬   Thank you, Abba Father, that we are invited to come to you. Help us to know ourselves as you know us – your beloved children in whom you are truly delighted! It is in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.