LET THE LITTLE ONES COME

Luke 18:15-17 (NRSV) - People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16 But Jesus called for them and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."

It has always been a mystery to some
why the twelve refused to let the children come
close enough to feel the touch of Jesus’ hand.
If one thinks about it, one might say off-hand,
the disciples were like us in that respect,
who assume that busy people will object
to a child’s consuming any of their time
as if such an interruption were a crime.
There are some adults, who, though it is absurd,
think that children should be neither seen nor heard!
How removed from those who think like that was he
who said, “Let the little children come to me. 
For to such as these God’s kingdom does belong.
Not to let the children come to me is wrong.”
Those who don’t receive the kingdom as a child
will not enter it.” ---for love has been defiled.