Things
Imagine being told by your mom that you were brought before Jesus as an infant and he blessed you.
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. 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. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’” He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.” Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” - Luke 18:15-30
When the people brought their children as infants to Jesus, the disciples ordered them away. What was it that the disciples didn't understand?
The innocent have nothing blocking them from entering God's Kingdom, while the rest of us have heaped on many obstacles in our lifetimes.
The ruler who was wealthy is a perfect example. The more he gains in this world, the harder it is for him to shed the importance of it all and present himself before God.
Over the years, we acquire a lot of things that we don't want to let go of. When we finally decide to move to a smaller home, we need to have a tag sale or to donate things we later realize we could easily live without.
So, what is it that we are burdened with now at this stage in our lives that we could easily shed if we had to?
What Jesus is saying to us is these things are better off being given up.
Maybe he is right.
More to come...