For those harboring images of Jesus as a meek and mild religious figure with naked baby cherubs encircling His frisbee-haloed head, the following biblical event may be challenging to consider. It happened as parents brought their kids to Jesus so He could “touch and bless them” (Mark 10:13), but His disciples resented the intrusion.
“When Jesus saw this, He became furious and told them, ‘Let the little children come to me…’ ” (Matt. 10:14 ISV). Other translations say He was “moved with indignation” or “became indignant.”
Why the intense display of emotion?
The old classic hymn makes it plain. “Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Be they yellow, black or white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
After touching them as a token of affirmation and blessing (today He’d most likely give them a fist-bump and a high-five!), Jesus did what He always did after ministering to children—release them back to dad and mom.
Though the case could be made that these little ones would certainly fare better leaving parental ties to enjoy a better way of life by following the One who could heal any sickness, feed multitudes and provide extraordinary instruction, Jesus Christ modeled a maxim throughout His ministry: Express compassion. Honor authority.
A similar standard of conduct relevant to us today would be, “Demonstrate love. Uphold law.”
In light of the continuing illegal immigration crisis and humanitarian crisis now exacerbated by the recent unprecedented surge of over 60,000 children from Central America crossing our border without parental oversight, we’d do well to follow the method of the Master before this steady flood becomes an overwhelming tsunami.
Many well-intentioned but I believe misdirected individuals (I respectfully include here our president, influential politicians and news commentators) seem to believe the compassionate solution to the escalating border crisis is to extend our arms and declare, “Ya’all come in!” Guilt is projected on those who sincerely disagree and dare to say, “You’re missing it and not handling this the way Jesus would.”
Who’s right?
W. W. J. D.?
Over four decades ago, I worked at the AFL-CIO headquarters across the street from the White House in Washington, DC. My job was in the Community Relations Department helping union members and their families with humanitarian needs outside of the union contract. Early on I discovered there were requirements and limitations to assistance being offered.
When I transitioned to vocational ministry, where I’ve served people’s needs for over 42 years, I read an influential book from 1896, In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? by Charles Sheldon. It’s the story of a pastor challenging his church members to spend one full year asking the question “What would Jesus do?” before making any decision.
This classic reinforced what I learned in my union position and in my study of the Gospels: Jesus did not try to meet every need in every place at every time. Need does not necessarily constitute ministry! Like Him, we need to be discerning while determining available resources in dealing with people’s legitimate needs.
“Multitudes came together to hear and be healed by Jesus of their infirmities, but he withdrew to a lonely place and prayed” (Luke 5:15–16). If we operate out of sentimentality, Jesus appears to be uncaring and inconsiderate, doesn’t he?
In Matthew 22:11-14 Jesus told a parable of a man desiring entrance to an event but refused entrance because of not honoring the requirements.
In Matthew 25:1-13 He told of 10 young maidens desiring to gain entrance to a special occasion and yet five were turned away and called “foolish” because they did not fulfill the requirements.
That same chapter cites individuals being given different “talents” but one who failed to do what he was told was called “lazy,” had the gift taken away and was barred from the estate.
In 2 Corinthians 8:12 we have the record of the early Christian community being reminded that giving to the needy in Jerusalem was “according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.” In other words, there are times we need to be realistic regarding our resources.
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SOURCE: Charisma News
Larry Tomczak
BCNN1 WP 