The Hugging Jesus

May 19, 2023

Mark 10:13-16 | Psalm 78:1-4

Jesus hugged the children.

There’s more you could reflect on in today’s short passage, but just stay there, if you would: Jesus hugged the children. Picture it. Imagine what it meant to each one. Imagine what it meant to him. Do you wonder if those children grew up knowing who he was, that he died, rose again, and ascended to God in heaven? …and then what that hug must have meant to them?

Whatever else we want to say about Christ in his divinity, eternal existence, co-equality with the Father and Spirit, or any other number of doctrinal and dogmatic statements or treatises…

…Jesus hugged the children.

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Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them. But the disciples scolded them. When Jesus saw this, he grew angry and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” Then he hugged the children and blessed them.

Psalm 78:1-4

Listen, my people, to my teaching;
    tilt your ears toward the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth with a proverb.
    I’ll declare riddles from days long gone—
        ones that we’ve heard and learned about,
        ones that our ancestors told us.
We won’t hide them from their descendants;
    we’ll tell the next generation
    all about the praise due the Lord and his strength—
    the wondrous works God has done.

Prayer

God,

Give me a faith that is as strong and bold as to speak truth to power in one moment and to hug children in the next.

By your spirit & in Christ,

Amen.