As noted in the last blast email, we will be sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. They'll appear here on the web site's blog, on our Facebook page, and via blast email.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:14b-15
When I see this window my thoughts go straight to the stories in the first three gospels. Jesus has been teaching, and some folks decide to bring their darling babies along for a blessing. It's probably past their nap time, so the little rug rats are climbing on the furniture, trying to eat rocks, and throwing a rambunctious fit when mom or dad makes them spit out the rocks. The disciples finally have enough of this undignified, disruptive behavior and tell the parents to take the little monsters out into the lobby and get them under control. Jesus, described as "indignant" in Mark's version, has to one again correct the disciples' shortsighted reactions and get us all thinking about what it means to be child like.
My current perspective revolves around our 15-month-old son: the comfort he finds in us, his trust that we'll pick him up and not drop him, his innocence to the horrors of selfish humanity, and the way he absorbs instructions by observing us. We never made it a point to show him how a door lock works, but he'll try for 10 minutes to put one of my keys in a closed door to open it. He doesn't demand an explanation, he just knows the right thing to do because he pays attention to everything we do. Eventually he will speak like us too, which is both exciting and scary!
May we all approach Christ with faith and open arms, observe the example provided by the perfect Lamb, and joyfully receive the redemption and blessing of God's kingdom.
- Ryan Chance
References: Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17, 1 Peter 1:18-21
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:14b-15
When I see this window my thoughts go straight to the stories in the first three gospels. Jesus has been teaching, and some folks decide to bring their darling babies along for a blessing. It's probably past their nap time, so the little rug rats are climbing on the furniture, trying to eat rocks, and throwing a rambunctious fit when mom or dad makes them spit out the rocks. The disciples finally have enough of this undignified, disruptive behavior and tell the parents to take the little monsters out into the lobby and get them under control. Jesus, described as "indignant" in Mark's version, has to one again correct the disciples' shortsighted reactions and get us all thinking about what it means to be child like.
My current perspective revolves around our 15-month-old son: the comfort he finds in us, his trust that we'll pick him up and not drop him, his innocence to the horrors of selfish humanity, and the way he absorbs instructions by observing us. We never made it a point to show him how a door lock works, but he'll try for 10 minutes to put one of my keys in a closed door to open it. He doesn't demand an explanation, he just knows the right thing to do because he pays attention to everything we do. Eventually he will speak like us too, which is both exciting and scary!
May we all approach Christ with faith and open arms, observe the example provided by the perfect Lamb, and joyfully receive the redemption and blessing of God's kingdom.
- Ryan Chance
References: Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17, 1 Peter 1:18-21