Mark 10:2-16 (NRSV)
Read Mark 10:2-16 on biblegateway.com
Verse 2Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" Verse 3He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" Verse 4They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." Verse 5But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. Verse 6But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' Verse 7'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, Verse 8and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Verse 9Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
Verse 10Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. Verse 11He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; Verse 12and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
Verse 13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. Verse 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Verse 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." Verse 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Devotion
In the county in which I live, we have an infant mortality rate of one percent. While each death is a tragedy, the rate is very low. But if it spiked to 30 percent I’m pretty sure people would take note.
In Jesus’ day, thirty percent was the infant mortality rate society faced. Further, sixty percent never made it past 6 years old. It becomes abundantly clear why mothers were bringing their children to Jesus – for a blessing, for healing, for just a touch. When children meant care and support in one’s old age, making sure some of them were in that magical 40 percent was vital – you were staking your life on it!
Yet the disciples would keep them away! Do we do this in our churches – keeping out those who are weak, vulnerable, needy? Or do we receive them with open arms as Jesus did and, in doing so, find the kingdom of God among us?
Prayer
Gracious God, as you watch over those who are most vulnerable and in need, help our congregations to be places where these people are welcomed with arms wide open. Help us to be found in your kingdom as we receive those you love so much. Amen.