Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Matthew 19:13 – 15

Matthew noted this interchange between Jesus and the disciples, of course Matthew was himself among them.  The point of the story is not how the little children felt about being blessed by Jesus, even though that is precious, but about the Kingdom of heaven, a persistent concern of Jesus through his entire ministry.

As I read this story I begin to understand more and more the nature of the Kingdom of heaven.

Imagine for a moment, soul of mine, that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to little children, not to the strong, the powerful, the princes and kings.   When I think of kingdoms I think of kings!  Jesus thinks of little children!

I wonder how this struck the disciples.  The Jews were subservient to Roman rulers and kings at the time.  The people longed for the day when Israel would be a nation like other nations, with their power structures and armies in place. That is what the Jews hoped for.  Imagine their chagrin when Jesus said the Kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like little children!

I find that hard to grasp.   Jesus was well aware of that.  What of the hope that the kingdom will be returned to Israel?  It must have been quite confusing to the disciples.  Jesus left it at that, without further elaboration.  He simply “placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”

In a few days Jesus will be hanging on a Roman cross, tortured and killed!  There is no more wrenching site possible.  Now, soul, think of that!  The King of heaven crucified!  Is this what following Christ is all about?