Marginal Christianity

Again, the disciples demonstrate their shortsightedness by rudely rebuffing those bringing children to be touched (blessed, v.16) by Jesus. He is “indignant” at this behavior. In the earlier passage about children (9:33ff.) Jesus taught them to welcome the nobodies and throwaways of the world as they would him or his Father. Like the blind person needing two touches by Jesus to see clearly, the disciples need a second lesson on welcoming those regarded by the rest as having no worth or value. Thus Jesus gathers the children in his arms, laid hands of blessing on them. Then he adds a final piece to their instruction. Solemnly (“Truly I tell you”) he tells them, “ whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” Only those “who make no claims, unself-consciously assume their own utter dependence, and are not concerned about rank, status, and self-image” (Boring, Mark :8139-8141) . Only those can receive others who know they are received by ...

Entry into the City, John August Swanson, 1990. Tuesday of Holy Week 2017 Luke 18:15-17 “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.’”           Swanson’s painting captures this truth with the gaggle of children he has positioned nearest to Jesus. Boys and girls waving their palms are conspicuous by the position the artist gives them. It is they, perhaps, among all the people gathered to this moment, who give Jesus the truest and purest welcome to Jerusalem. “Truly I tell you,” Jesus says, “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” ...

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/27/george-will-stuns-fox-panel-preposterous-that-u-s-cant-shelter-child-refugees-from-violence/#.U9VIEzfHpbY.facebook By David Edwards Sunday, July 27, 2014 11:12 EDT   Fox News contributor George Will shocked his fellow panelists on Sunday by asserting that the United States should not deport child refugees who were fleeing violence in Central America. “We ought to say to these children, ‘Welcome to America, you’re going to go to school, and get a job, and become American,’” Will suggested. “We have 3,141 counties in this country. That would be 20 per county.” “They idea that we can’t assimilate these 8-year-old criminals with their teddy bears is preposterous,” he added. At that point, Fox News host Chris Wallace interrupted: “You got to know, we’re going to get tons of email saying, ‘This guy doesn’t understand the border. Why should we be de...