ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
April 7, 2022
Yesterday, I continued the walk to Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, or what we call Palm Sunday. And in the Etching, I referenced this odd move in Matthew’s Gospel from eunuchs to children. These are reminders that our storytellers often left out information, specifically transitional information. Though the two stories sit side by side, there might have been two or three days between the two events. Some times two stories are put side by side for a reason, and in other situations, any sort of connection is nothing more than coincidence. Beginning in Matthew 19:13, we learn of people bringing little children to Jesus. The disciples were rather rude to the folks, but Jesus offered the well known words, “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.” I’m intrigued by the questions the passage raises for me. For instance, why were people bringing children to Jesus in the first place? It says they were brought for the purpose of having Jesus lay hands upon them. Were they in need of healing? Were parents simply thinking Jesus would provide a touch of encouragement? When you live under Roman occupation, where folks are fearful, maybe a blessing of protection would be nice? Whatever the reason, why were the disciples so negative? How could interacting with these children somehow be against the basic understanding of the Jesus message? How do you think the disciples would have explained themselves? This is where I wonder if there is no real good answer. Have you ever done something you later regretted, and even with some reflection, you had no earthly idea why you responded the way you did? Maybe it’s just me, but there are times when I failed to demonstrate Jesus, and I had absolutely no explanation for my behavior. All I could say was, “I was a jerk, and I am deeply sorry. My actions do not represent the person I believe I am called to be. Tomorrow, I’m going to try to do better.”
Why do I do the things I know I should not do? I ask you this question, O God, both as a confession and as one searching for answers. Yet even when there is no real explanation for what I’ve done, I pray for the strength to do better. I know perfection is not a realistic goal, but better is something I can commit to doing. Amen.
