Eucharistic Meditation

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Mk. 10:14-15)

We’ve said before that this is a table for the children of God. You can’t come to this table as an adult, all consumed with the cares and worries of this world. You must come with the faith of little children, trusting your heavenly father. But we should also simply recognize the literal reality that this is a table for the children of God because we are a church full of young children. There are almost as many children under the age of five as there are adults over the age of 18. And of course some of you are there in the middle. But the point is that these children are welcome here at this table and throughout this service because Jesus says that they are. Of course, we must be faithful parents. We must instruct them and they are obliged to obey us in the Lord. It is good and right that they should be learning to sit quietly and listen to take part in various parts of the service. But we must remember that the way they come here to Jesus is a model for how we are to come here to Jesus, “for of such is the kingdom of God.” This is also an encouragement to us: the noises of children in our service is not an unfortunate byproduct of covenant theology. The noises of children in our midst is a glorious testimony to the faithfulness of God as well as our obedience in bringing our children to Jesus for His blessing. Of course, teach your children to sit still; of course, teach your children to be quiet at the appropriate times and considerate of other worshippers. Of course, teach them to sing the songs we sing here week after week, and to say the simple responses in the service week after week: teach them to worship with us. But remember, they are children, and Jesus welcomes them here as children. Therefore believe God and rejoice.