(L, P)br...
Illustration
(L, P)
Jesus liked to use children for illustrations and was always putting them before others to serve as examples. In Matthew's Gospel he says that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven were people like children. In Mark's Gospel, he says that if one receives a child in Christ's name, one receives Christ.
Why the preoccupation with children? Frederick Buechner says that it's not because Jesus liked to play Captain Kangaroo. He simply saw those who entered the kingdom as being like children who are so "relatively unburdened by preconceptions that if somebody says there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, they are perfectly willing to go take a look for themselves."
To receive a child is to receive one who is dependent. Children cannot give us things, except the pleasure of their company. To receive a child is to receive one who needs things, but who cannot advance our career nor enhance our prestige. Jesus is saying that if we receive those who have no influence, wealth, or power, we are receiving him. It is a call to reach out to those in need -- another way of saying, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
-- Aber
Jesus liked to use children for illustrations and was always putting them before others to serve as examples. In Matthew's Gospel he says that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven were people like children. In Mark's Gospel, he says that if one receives a child in Christ's name, one receives Christ.
Why the preoccupation with children? Frederick Buechner says that it's not because Jesus liked to play Captain Kangaroo. He simply saw those who entered the kingdom as being like children who are so "relatively unburdened by preconceptions that if somebody says there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, they are perfectly willing to go take a look for themselves."
To receive a child is to receive one who is dependent. Children cannot give us things, except the pleasure of their company. To receive a child is to receive one who needs things, but who cannot advance our career nor enhance our prestige. Jesus is saying that if we receive those who have no influence, wealth, or power, we are receiving him. It is a call to reach out to those in need -- another way of saying, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
-- Aber
