Approachable

There is a certain excitement one gets when meeting someone who is famous.

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But 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. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. - Mark 10:13-16

In this excerpt from today's Gospel reading, the disciples start acting like body guards for Jesus, keeping people away who want him to touch their children.

Jesus has become famous, and those closest to him may have been feeling the power of being protective of him.

Jesus quickly puts them in their place.  Let the children come, he says.  Stop being filters for me.

Those who come without reservation, without awe of fame or position, those are the true followers.

Think about it.  Until someone becomes famous, the attraction to them is real.  Afterwards, it is an attraction to fame itself.

Imagine the children growing up and telling people, I once met Jesus and had his hands on me to bless me.

But we don't hear about those people.  Instead, we have Jesus inviting the children to him, recognizing their innocence and purity of spirit.

Jesus wants to be like that for us, pure and approachable.  He doesn't want us to follow out of awe and amazement for what he did, but for who is and why he came.

So, to follow is to be accessible to all.  In that approach, there is no prejudice or malice.

There is only love.

More to come...