DAY 18

CRAYONS & CROWNS

DYLAN DYJEWSKI, YOUNG ADULT AND PRETEEN PASTOR, THE WOODS CHURCH

Life with kids can be wild. If you’ve ever worked with them, you know exactly what I mean. In your head, come up with some words that would describe the characteristics of a kid, both good and bad. As a preteen pastor, I have come up with: messy, interrupting, utterly dependent, extreme, curious, fun, loud, crazy, slow, hungry, sometimes hilarious, sometimes frustrating; and always unpredictable. For those of you who are parents, I'm sure your list is much longer than mine.

At times, working with kids is chaotic and overwhelming. And yet, Jesus saw something in children that many adults overlook.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13–16

When reading this passage, we see three different groups of people.

THE PEOPLE: The parents and friends who brought children to Jesus had faith that he would be able and willing to restore their children. They didn’t bring them to a synagogue, a program, or a building, they brought them directly to the source, Jesus. We are called to lead people to the source. A building makes it easier, but truly making the introduction between Jesus and those we influence is what we are called to do. There are people outside of our church who will never step foot into a church, but they will go to coffee. Ordinary places like coffee shops, classrooms and backyards can become places of holy introduction.

THE CHILDREN: By every cultural standard, children weren’t considered important. Children were an afterthought. However, look back on how Jesus describes them again:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyonewho will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13–16

Think back to our list of characteristics of children! They were messy, dependent, and immature. These are not characteristics of someone who should inherit an entire kingdom! It does not make sense!

Yet, Jesus said they represent the heart posture needed to enter His Kingdom. Childlike dependence, not adult accomplishment, is the key. Just like these kids, we have a list of characteristics that disqualifies you from adoption. But Jesus’ death and resurrection has erased our list and replaced it with HIS NAME! Adoption into His family isn’t earned; it’s received. All it takes is submission and chasing after Him. Jesus wants to wrap His arms around you and adopt you into His family, giving you the most amazing inheritance. All it takes is a yes, there is nothing we can do to earn adoption.

THE DISCIPLES: Lastly, the disciples.

...but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. Mark 10:13–14

Rebuked is the English translation for the word epitimao which means to censure, reprimand, or blame someone. The word indignant is translated from aganakteō meaning to be greatly afflicted or angry.

You see, these disciples knew Jesus well. They had been following Him, watching and studying Him for close to three years! They allowed their own judgment to get in the way of the Gospel. They saw the characteristics and how culture saw these kids and decided they were undeserving of His blessings. They placed more value on their judgments than the Lord’s. His followers were gatekeeping His Kingdom.

How often do we do the same? In all honesty, I catch myself doing this all of the time. I see a kid who is constantly distracting and frustrating, and in my mind I cast them aside. Does our judgment hold greater weight than Christ’s? We decide someone is too annoying, too far gone, too broken, and we quietly push them away. Yet Jesus calls us to lay down judgment and see people as He sees them, worthy of His blessing and love.

The truth is, we’re all still growing, just like those disciples. But the call remains the same: know where you are, and keep moving toward the person Jesus is shaping you to be.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank You for reminding me today that Your Kingdom is for the childlike. Forgive me when I try to gatekeep Your love or judge who is “worthy.” Help me to depend on You like a child and to lead others directly to You, not just to a building or program. Wrap Your arms around me today as You did with those children, and remind me that I am fully Yours. Amen.