“13 Some people were bringing little children to Him so He might touch them, but His disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me. Don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them.”

Mark 10:13-16

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There are a lot of sharp feelings going on in this passage today. Read it again and see how hearts are in such different places. Picture the scene if it helps.

Jesus is standing talking to people, the disciples acting like security, standing around, keeping an eye out, taking it upon themselves to vett the entreating crowds. They feel important when they do this, like they have some authority over others. It builds the ego up to say who can and can’t come see Jesus personally. Peter has names on a clipboard and James & John are guarding the velvet rope entryway. Judas is thinking about collecting a cover charge. Thaddaeus & Bartholomew are covering the rear access and Matthew is busy counting the crowd to put it in the record books later.

But Jesus isn’t seeking exclusivity in who can and cannot approach Him. He doesn’t want there to be some shallow, human pecking order. It’s not about who we may or may not deem ‘worthy.’ Instead, it’s about their hearts, and that can never be judged based solely on appearance or other external assumptions and biases.

So where the disciples are being very assumptive and rude, blocking people from coming to Jesus, He steps right in and puts a stop to it all. In fact, where it says the disciples were being snippy and rebuking people, the language for Jesus’ rebuke of them is even stronger. This word ‘indignant’ is a very strong word. This is where we cannot look at Jesus as hear Him speaking gently or in soft tones. This is a perfect, righteous indignation and the disciples are publicly chastised for their attitudes and assumptions. In fact, they even get a lesson from Him indicating that their hearts are nowhere near where they need to be by being made to usher in the people they were trying to restrict.

Self important Christians, legalistically setting boundary markers and dictating who is and isn’t ‘important enough’ to deserve attention, have done their fair share of damage to the Kingdom. But Jesus’ admission of those whom men might reject will always be louder and more compelling than the pseudo-religious preening of the proud.

Anyone and everyone who wants to come to Jesus may come. We had better make sure that we aren’t doing anything to keep them away. Our call to GoLove others isn’t just some exclusive, red rope event for people that we choose. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to scatter seed, spreading it wherever the Spirit gives us the opportunity. We don’t pour it out in just the spots that we deem worthy. We look to Jesus and follow His lead.