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Let the Children Come to Me

‘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.’
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