Mark 10:14
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.
Slowing down, Rebecca took one glance behind her to find her Mother hastily trying to keep up with both Rebecca’s two-year-old brothers in tow. “Slow down, Zach!” She reprimanded as only an older sister could.
“Fine, but they better not take any longer. I want to see Jesus!”
Leaving her brother Zack, she backtracked to help her mother with the two toddlers. “Come, Ben,” She encouraged grabbing his Chubby little hand.
“Thanks Rebecca.” She heard her mother muster with little energy.
Rebecca watched as her Mamma pressed on, holding her other brother tightly to her chest. Such a shame, Silas being crippled since birth, Sadly every doctor they spoke to ended with the same conclusion. No hope.
Rebecca scanned the crowd ahead. Children and parents were scattered everywhere all with the same purpose. This teacher had built quite the reputation among the town’s people. She had even overheard her Mamma tell her father last night that it “was her deepest desire for all of her children to be touched and blessed by this man.” Apparently he did that sort of thing. Though she really wasn’t sure what he did to raise such a fuss among the adults she knew.
“There he is, Mamma, I see him!” Zachary shrieked with excitement.
Suddenly the crowd turned in to a small mob. Parents grabbed hold of their children to avoid being separated. Some parents even lifted their smaller children up over their, heads to keep them from being smothered by the crowd. She gathered her two brothers and hastily made search for her Mother who was now quite a distance away. Before Rebecca could do anything about it a commotion broke up front and center of the ever growing crowd.
“What do you think you’re doing bringing all these…little people here to bother our master? He has no time for them, he’s to busy! He has more important things to do then to take time baby-sit children! “A man reprimanded.
“But we want him to bless our children. We want them to have a chance to see him while he is in town!” One mother called.
“Yeah, if we can’t speak with the man won’t you at least let us catch a glimpse of him?” Rebecca’s mother added a little on the loud side.
Rebecca looked up surprised at her Mother’s outburst, as she was usually more conservative than that.
“I’m sorry but the master is extremely tired, you must let him rest.” Another of the men urged. Rebecca was starting to hate these people.
“Thomas…Peter…come here.”
Rebecca looked up. Another man was walking towards them as they spoke.
“Yes master,” the one called Peter answered.
She stared at the man. He was the teacher all these people had come to see? But he looked so ordinary!
“Why do you keep these children away? Don’t you know that I love it when children come to me? Don’t you know it brings me such joy to see these shining, innocent faces? Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Rebecca could not believe her ears. No adult had ever treated her this way. Most looked at her only as the child she was. This man thought she was special and she smiled at that thought. He truly did care. Suddenly, an idea popped in to her mind. If he cared for children like he said he did, than maybe he would listen to her request. It was worth a try. She had heard stories from other people. If those stories were completely true then…
Rebecca broke free from her brothers hoping they would keep still and not follow. She pushed her way to the front of the crowd until she was face to face with the man called Jesus.
“Jesus?” She began, her voice trembling a little. She gasped for the breath her little sprint had briefly taken away.”
“Yes child?” He answered. His eyes were full of love when he looked at her.
“I-I was wondering…” a little nervous, “Do-Do you think you could tell us what’s wrong with my brother. He’s very sick and not one Doctor can tell us why this is.”
Compassionately he took her in his arms, “How old are you, child?”
Rebecca looked at him worried by this question. Was he going to reject her because she was too young to be asking such things? “Eight” she answered timidly, so only he would be able to hear.
“So young, and yet so full of faith; Why do you think its children that my kingdom belongs to?”
“I don’t know…you like children?”
“That I do; but listen.” At this time, he turned his attention to the waiting crowd. “It does take great faith such as this child has here, to enter God’s kingdom. Faith you see in children,” Then turning his attention back to Rebecca, “Come, let us go see your brother.”
Rebecca gave a relieved smile. “Silas is this way.”
She led him through the curious crowd back to her waiting family. Rebecca watched in awe as he took Silas in to his arms, once again, his face held such compassion.
“Rebecca come, stand with me. You have such strong faith that your little brother might walk even when those around you have given up all hope. Rebecca, your brother was sick but he is no longer. Your faith has made him well today. Take his hand walk with him, run with him. He no longer is sick.”
Rebecca reached out her hand to Silas and pulled him to his feet. At first he took little steps, but it wasn’t long before he was soon chasing His twin brother Ben and six-year-old Zack. Rebecca watched as their mother, who would have normally run after the boys just stood in disbelief watching her three boys run. Tears filled her eyes as she embraced Jesus in thanksgiving before running to catch up with her boys.
Rebecca threw her arms around Jesus. It was the warmest hug she had ever felt. For once, she felt important standing there in the presence of an adult. For once, she did not feel inferior as she usually did. Taking Jesus hand in hers, she smiled and tears of thanksgiving filled her eyes too. She could never thank him enough for what he had just done. She tried to think up something profound to say but nothing fit. Finally, she found her voice.
“Thank you, Jesus.” It was so simple. Not what she meant to say at all. However, some how, maybe it was the way he smiled at her simple words, But some how she just knew…it was more then enough.
