When I was a kid my parents took me and my brother to watch the filming of a TV episode at Silver Dollar City, a local theme park. This rare occurrence created a stir, and my brother and I enjoyed the excitement. I remember standing behind ropes quietly watching the proceedings, and then shaking the hands of some of the actors. A brush with royalty, and the Beverly Hillbillies remains an all-time favorite of mine.

As a child I stood dumbstruck when I met an actor. I wonder what it felt like for children to meet Jesus? Parents often brought their young ones to a well-known rabbi for a blessing. Jesus drew large crowds, parents with children included. At one point these gaggles of kids overwhelmed Jesus’s disciples:

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.

I get the feeling that in the midst of ceaseless crowds, with ongoing teaching, questions and healings, the disciples felt enough was enough. But not Jesus—not when the kids ran up.

The King James Version of his response reads: Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. The word suffer in Early Modern English means to allow something or tolerate an action. Jesus tells his disciples to tolerate this intrusion, because the kingdom of heaven swells in childlike hearts.

Suffer little children to come unto me sounds stronger than let the little children come. The phrase leans toward get the children in front of me, or make pains to get these kids at my knee. Why? Because the kingdom of heaven sits like a spark in their midst, and Jesus fans the flames.

A riotous group of of kids doesn’t appeal to everyone. Bless those who teach Sunday morning classes at church, run Vacation Bible School, or lead the middle school youth group. As followers of Jesus, we should bless these efforts, as well as do all we can to get our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their friends at his side. In doing so we open their lives, and ours, to the glorious kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:13-15

Photo by Nae Unani