June 11, 2023 homily on Luke 18:15-17 for International Children’s Day by Pastor Galen
“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.’” – Luke 18:16
Several years ago this photo of a Morehouse College math professor went viral. The photograph shows Professor Nathan Alexander holding a baby in an infant carrier while teaching his class of college students.
The backstory is that the professor knew that his students had a lot of responsibilities in their lives outside of school. Some of them had families, and many of them were working full-time jobs to support their families while paying their way through school. And so the professor told the students that they should do whatever they needed to do to prioritize their education, even if it meant bringing their kids to school with them.
Enter Morehouse College senior Wayne Hayer. Wayne was a 26-year-year-old college senior holding down two jobs while studying kinesiology. His wife typically stayed at home with their newborn, but one day his wife had to go downtown for an appointment. Not wanting her to struggle on public transportation with an infant, he tried to find childcare for their baby. When that fell through, his only option was to bring his baby to class with him.
Wayne wasn’t sure how the professor or other students would respond, but when he arrived, Professor Alexander welcome him and his daughter graciously, even holding the baby so Wayne could take better notes during class. Another student tweeted out this photo of Professor Alexander, along with the caption: “Student came to class today with his child due to no babysitter or anybody to watch her while he was in class. My professor NATHAN ALEXANDER said ‘I’ll hold her so you can take good notes!’#HBCU #morehouse #Respect”
Let the Little Children Come
Luke 18:15 tells us that “People were bringing even infants to [Jesus] that he might touch them.” Like the college student who brought his baby to class, I have to wonder if the parents bringing their children to Jesus were similarly worried about how Jesus might respond. After all, there’s an old saying in our society that “Children should be seen and not heard.” And although that saying originated in the 15th century, it’s not difficult to imagine that the sentiment has probably been around since ancient times. Even today, children are frequently told that they shouldn’t disrupt the “important business” of adults. Many times children are not welcome at all in places where adults conduct business or make decisions (even when those decisions impact children directly). And if they are allowed, it is often begrudgingly, and only if they don’t “speak unless spoken to.”
And so the parents were probably a bit nervous about how Jesus would respond. Jesus was a popular religious teacher, and the Pharisees and other religious teachers of Jesus’s day don’t really strike me as the type of teachers who would hold their students’ babies during class so the students could take good notes. In fact, even Jesus’s own disciples tried to stop the parents from bringing their children to Jesus, “sternly [ordering] them not to do it” (Luke 18:15b). “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.’”
In one fell swoop, Jesus reassured both the parents and the children that children are not only welcome, but fully embraced and included, and yes even essential to the Kingdom of God. Children are valued and treasured members of God’s family. And not only that, but children can teach adults a lot about what it means to be children of God.
And so here are just a few things that I believe we can learn from Jesus’s interaction with children, and his statement that the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these:
- Jesus values and welcomes children, and so should all of us. Children have important perspectives, thoughts, and feelings, and they deserve to be heard. We need to make time to listen to what they have to say. (And let’s remember that actions speak louder than words. So if we say that we value children, we need to demonstrate that by truly welcoming childre, into our midst – like Morehouse professor Nathan Alexander, and like Jesus. We demonstrate that we value children by taking time and making space for them to be heard, and even allowing them to affect change in our organizations and institutions).
- God Listens to Children. If Jesus stopped to bless and hold children, then we can be absolutely confident that God listens to their prayers. Just as parents listen to their children because they care about them, God listens to each and every one of us, no matter our age, because we are all God’s children. Children: your thoughts, concerns, and ideas matter to God. When you speak, God listens; God wants to hear what you have to say.
- God’s Kingdom Belongs to You. When Jesus says, “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” He is talking about children like you. The Kingdom of God is a place where God’s love, peace, and joy rule. Jesus wants you to be a part of His kingdom. He wants you to experience His love and to live with Him forever.
- For the adults in the room: Let us never forget that Jesus said that the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Children can teach us so much about faith and humility. Their curiosity, their eagerness to learn, and how quick they are to forgive—these qualities are all essential to life in the Kingdom of God. Jesus wants us to be humble and open-hearted like children, ready to learn from Him and follow His ways.
The Kingdom of God Belongs to Such as These
And so children, remember that Jesus values you, and He wants you to use your voice. You are not just meant to be seen; you are meant to be heard. God listens to your prayers, your thoughts, and your dreams. God wants you to speak up, share your ideas, and make a difference in the world. You have unique gifts and perspectives that can bring about positive change.
And for the rest of us, let us remember that children are not just the future of the Church. They are the church of today and tomorrow. There is so much that we can learn from them. And so, let us work together in collaboration across the generations to create spaces where everyone’s voices are heard—particularly children, and may we remember that each and every one of us is a child of God and loved and valued by God, no matter how old or young we are.
Amen.
Galen Zook 