‘And they were bringing children to him that he
might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 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.
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like
a child shall not enter it.” And she took them in his arms and
blessed them, laying his hands on them.’ (Matt 9:14-16).
When Jesus took the little children in his arms,
they might have told him something. What would they tell him? I was
thinking about as it as I watched one of our team members ministering
to little kids in a slum in Pune. He had just told those poor kids
gathered under a tin-roofed hall a story about Jesus. Some children
responded in faith and wanted him to pray for them. I was around, and
listening to their requests. Some wanted Jesus to stop their father’s
drinking. Some kids said that their father had deserted them and they
want Jesus to bring him back. He might have eloped with another woman
in the slum. Some want Jesus to change their father’s mind. He
returns from work in the evening drunk and beats up their mom and
threatens them.
The disciples rebuked the people who brought the
little children to Jesus. However, Jesus took them in his arms and
blessed them. They have stories to tell, stories of pain and
rejection and also hope. These children live in utterly poor
conditions hoping there is a better tomorrow. Every child has a story
to tell Jesus, stories of pain, rejection and lack. That is why Jesus
told them, ‘Let the children come to me! Do not hinder them.’