Matthew 19: 13-15
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
January 21, 2018
I have been asking you to share your favorite Bible stories with me. One of the stories you lifted up is the story of Jesus welcoming the children from Matthew’s Gospel.
The camera lens of faith captures a tender moment that is not to be forgotten. Listen to the story according to Matthew with fresh spiritual eyes… Mathew 19: 13-15:
Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell this story of a gentle Jesus. Throughout these gospels Jesus draws a crowd as the people continued to follow him. They gathered around Jesus like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34). All three writers imply that mothers, fathers, and guardians were the ones bringing their children of all stages and ages to be blessed by the hands of the Son of God.
The people had heard Jesus’ powerful teachings and had seen unparalleled compassion in his eyes. Bringing their children was a beloved sign of trust in Jesus. These families wanted that holy connection to embrace and bless their children.
And just like that - this tender moment was interrupted. The disciples attempted to set a boundary around Jesus. Maybe they thought their Lord was doing important work. Maybe the disciples felt their Rabbi shouldn’t be bothered by the unpredictability of children – you know the tantrums, the questions, the interruptions. Maybe the disciples had good intentions to protect Jesus’s time and personal space, to preserve it, and keep it reverent.
And yet once again Jesus breaks down the barriers that we humans build up. “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).
Those words speak the truth in love to the disciples and anyone with ears to hear. Those words call to mind an important truth about the ancient paths of faith tradition.
The Jewish faith tradition was and is a communal one. It claims that children have a treasured place of belonging in the family of faith. Children are marked with the sign of God’s covenant love (circumcision) from infancy at 8 days of age without exception (Genesis 17: 9-13).
A child’s life is to be interwoven in the fabric of covenant strength. The needle of faith weaves and tethers that fabric by intricate connections between God and intergenerational relationships. The fabric is made strong by a love that acknowledges the Lord as God alone with all our hearts, souls, and might.
Faith matters because it shapes the way we see ourselves and the world. Faith is cultivated in every day conversations that intersects real life in the home and also with our steps to walk in Wisdom’s path. It is a heritage that God’s steadfast love has passed down throughout every generation (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
The Reformed faith tradition is rooted in the Old Testament tradition in Scripture. We mark infants and children with the sign of God’s covenant love in the Sacrament of Baptism. A child’s life is claimed as a beloved child of God, embraced in the grace of Jesus Christ, and tethered into the great family of faith by Holy Spirit. The Sacrament recognizes it takes a village to raise a child and root them in the wonders of God’s love.
And as this holy Sacrament embraces children, families, and community alike, Jesus’ words remind us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Our children belong to the kingdom because you and I have something to learn about God’s love through the eyes of a child.
Just as the disciples were so easily caught up with adult matters, we can be too. There is a hazard with adulting too hard. It can extinguish one’s humility. It can hinder one’s ability to live in the moment. It can snuff out one’s playfulness, curiosity, and wonder. Jesus teaches us adults that children hold the keys to kingdom living.
Michael B. was one of the cutest four-year olds I had ever met. He had the face of a cherub, a smile that melted your heart, and an honesty that oftentimes left me speechless. One Wednesday afternoon his grandmother brought Michael B. and his siblings to church. I opened the door to help the kids get out of the car. And I said, “Michael B., did you have a good day at preschool?” And with a big mischievous grin, Michael B. looked at me and said, “Yeah! I didn’t hit anybody today!”
Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to humble ones such as these.
The kids gathered around my clergy colleague for the children’s sermon. The message was to think about what God is calling us to do. All of the children had such good answers: “Be nice;” “Be kind;” “Be obedient.” And then little Henry buried his face in his father’s robe muffling his answer. The pastor looked down at his son and said, “Yes, Henry, God IS calling you to poop on the potty.” And little Henry just looked out at his church family and says, “But I not gonna do it.” The church broke out in hilarity.
Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for he kingdom of God belongs to those who live in the moment.
Two children were asked to help lead worship as acolytes to light the candles on the Communion Table and bring the light of Christ into God’s house. Those kiddos just so happened to be wearing an Native American headdress and a princess dress respectively. While some parents would see this as a stumbling block to church tradition, these children’s parents saw an opportunity to foster a child’s energy, imagination, and love. And this pastor is incredibly grateful for a church who values creativity.
Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are playful.
The youth gathered regularly for games, Bible study, and serving the community. As they grew in their faith, they also sought answers to hard questions. Paul began to withdraw from the group as he began to question who God is and what faith means. It was scary for his parents to see Paul holding this gift of faith and stretching it to the limits. Sometimes faith seems so fragile that we might believe questioning it is the wrong thing to do. But questions remind us that it takes a village to affirm that we are not alone in our questions and doubts. It is part of wearing the thin skin of humanity.
Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to those who are curious and questioning.
Copper was a sophomore in high school. While he was shy he also did not know a stranger. He loved to laugh. He tried to do his best in school. He had a passion for soccer. He also had a spiritual gift for leadership. Cooper led devotions and prayer at youth retreats. He applied to serve on the Youth Council to help plan regional youth events. And the Church Officer Nominating Committee prayerfully invited Cooper to serve on session as a youth elder. I was delighted to hear his answer was yes. In that three year commitment many saw the Spirit at work through Cooper. He inspired the session and church to see children and youth not solely as the future but for the valuable contributions they share among us today.
Let the children and youth come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to ones who have a sense of wonder.
Today three families are bringing their children to be blessed by our gentle Jesus and this congregation. Mia Edwards, Carson Helms, and Ashley Overstreet are preparing to begin the journey of Confirmation this coming weekend. From January through May they will gather with other youth in our Presbytery to hold, question, and stretch this gift of faith.
Mia, Carson, and Ashley – I want you to know that you will step into a safe space that promises to hold future friendships among your peers. You are already fully embraced by the great family of faith right here at Van Wyck Presbyterian, the connective relationships among our Presbyterian churches, and all our spiritual ancestors who have come before us. And as you each grow deeper roots of faith, God has already given you amazing gifts to share among all God’s people.
My greatest prayer and deepest hope is that you may begin to unravel the mysteries of God’s amazing love for you, creation, and the wider world; to know that Jesus Christ welcomes you just as you are; and to trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to articulate your faith and help you discover how to use your unique gifts to make this world a better place.
The kingdom of God belongs to you and we cannot wait to see it through your eyes!
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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