The Kingdom of Heaven: Seen and Heard

When Jesus' disciples tried to quiet and shush the children, they felt Jesus' ire rise. He responded that if they wanted to enter the kingdom of heaven that they must first become like a little child: "Then Jesus said, "Leave the children alone, and don't try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this" (Matthew 19:14). What is it about children? Their innocence; their joie- de-vivre. It can be contagious.

I don't think that the disciples meant to be obtuse- it was a cultural thing.The disciples were merely concerned for Christ's very busy schedule. He was in fact a very most auspicious visitor to the earth with an important mission to accomplish. Children are to be seen and not heard. They are to smile and be pretty things. They are to be abused and voiceless.  Jesus responded by telling the disciples that unless they could become like these children, they would not enter the kingdom of heaven.

As we played clapping games and other silly adventures with the girls from Roodewaal, I had but to wonder what home looked like. Would they continue to smile and laugh when they entered their front doors?

I too can become so preoccupied like the disciples that I forget what really matters. Thank goodness Jesus does not. He made time for the children, to chat with them, sit on his lap, and he laid hands on them and blessed them: The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them.  The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom.  Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them" (Mark 10:13-16).

What foresight that some parents had to bring their children to Jesus. How many parents do that today? I don't mean dropping the child off at Sunday School and disappearing, but  to be present as Jesus changes their hearts, as they grew and become the men and women God desires.

Today, I led intercession about violence against girls and women in South Africa. Afterwards, Yuri gave me a word about the cloak that the king’s daughters wore. I knew the scripture to which he was referencing. It too is sad story of abuse, sexual misconduct, incest (2 Samuel 13). It is Tamar’s story; her garment was taken from her by her brother who was inflamed with lust. But I found in this prophetic word that God was telling me that He would restore beauty for ashes and give crowns of gladness instead of mourning. The girls will not be ravished brothers, fathers, and uncles, but be ravished by the beauty of their Prince Jesus. This same Jesus who had time to sit them upon his lap, lay hands on them and bless them, to call them into their divine destinies for their names are already written in the palm of scar-pierced hands. - Still a child at heart, MJ