Why So Many Kids? Easter Response

If you have a focus, a goal, or a mission and someone gets in the way, you're likely to be annoyed or extremely angry by the hindrance. When I am trying to do something and one of my kids interrupts my thought process or progress, I am much less patient in my response than if they come to me when I have nothing going on.

What strikes me about Jesus is that He was, suffice it to say, on the most important mission of all time when lots of loud, little children pestered to get near Him. The disciples erroneously thought of themselves as the secret service, so they tried protecting their powerful king from the distraction and time-consumption of the bothersome babies.

Shockingly, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them." (Matthew 19:14)

I'm sorry, but this would not be my response unless I hadn't seen a child in maybe forever, or if I didn't have anything to do. I, unlike Jesus, regularly react to interruptions rather than respond to what my kids say is "SO important" at any given moment.

So why did Jesus stop for all the clamoring kids on His mission to the cross? Many people wrote down that this historical person let not only children, but also adults, call to Him, touch Him and even rub against his garments. He says, "The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these like children" (Matthew 19:14). He was stopping for future heirs of the throne. He was stopping for His family.

No matter how much of our lives we devote to our kids, or those we take care of, we will completely miss the mark and waste our work if we react in annoyance rather than respond with compassion. I am as guilty as the next person, but I was reminded recently that if I adjust my "goals" to make space for Jesus' mission, then God will give me time to recharge and regain the right perspective towards all He's placed in my care.

More than that, if I react to the whining, complaining, and unyielding noise with vexation, I can give myself grace because Jesus felt those same temptations after time away from the unremitting demands. "Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” (Matthew 17:17) Jesus had just left the mountain of God's glory, and arrived in the valley of unbelieving beggars. I can almost hear his sigh as He longed to be back with His Father.

Even still, Jesus had patience and compassion to heal, teach, and provide for the very people who would disown Him. God has had an abundance of patience with me over the years, so shouldn't I do the same for my kids or for the interruptions that inevitably occur everyday? I won't get it right every time of course, but the more I know Jesus, the more I see Heaven in the eyes of the most vulnerable.

Whether it's an aging parent telling the same story for the ninety-nineth time, a grocery attendant bagging my food at snail speed, or even a child asking one million random questions when I'm late for an appointment, the more I respond in the Spirit rather than react in the flesh, the more I will maintain peace.

Afterwards, I can go like an innocent child and ask God to help me or listen to my questions. He always has time for me. There's nothing sweeter than a child coming for nothing more than a hug and smile. Jesus knew we needed that heart in order to understand the healing hope of Heaven. Jesus came to save the lost children, not the prideful adults who think they don't need Him. By grace I can come to God and present Him with nothing but my neediness and this is the hope of Resurrection Sunday.

~Carefully & Carelessly Childish