Such as These

February 26, 2008

By Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

“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’ ” (Mark 10:14, NIV).

Kelsie and Kristie are two cute little blond twins with huge smiles, who often came up to me for the “pastor’s hug” when I pastored in Taunton, Mass. They have an interesting testimony.

In 1994, their mother, who was a teenager with one child already, sat in an abortion clinic in Brookline, Mass. She had been advised that an abortion was her best option in the occurrence of her unplanned pregnancy.

She was there with her mother, who had recently rededicated her life to Christ and who was strongly opposed to the abortion. They had just sat through the “counseling” phase at the clinic, which was nothing more than pro-abortion propaganda. As she was waiting for her name to be called she had enough time to contemplate the fact she was nurturing a little person, not just dealing with unwelcome tissue.

Suddenly she turned to her mother and said, “Mom, you know, this baby already has fingernails.” Just as the nurse called her name they got up and walked out of the clinic rather than into the “procedure room.” In a matter of weeks tests would show there was not just one baby with fingernails who was saved that day, but two!

Each year tens of thousands of dedicated pro-life supporters gather in Washington. They peacefully protest the 1973 Supreme Court decision that overruled state laws restricting abortion here in America. I joined this march on several occasions in the ’80s when I pastored in northern Pennsylvania, believing it to be a just cause. For many years my Aunt Mary traveled to the rally in a bus all the way from western Missouri. I believe these “protesters” are among God’s finest.

Today’s text is the only time in the gospels the word “indignant” (“much displeased” in the KJV) is used to describe Jesus’ attitude. The word in the Amplified Version is described as “indignant and pained.” This was directed to the disciples who rebuked those who were bringing little children to Jesus. They thought they were doing the Lord a favor by protecting Him from the nuisance of those who had come bringing little children for Him to touch. His time was limited, crowds took up valuable space, children were noisy and babies could be smelly. Certainly, Jesus had many “adult” issues to deal with.

Yet Jesus responded, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

I am particularly intrigued by the phrase, “for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” The phrase “such as these” refers to the children and those who brought them. Jesus wanted them to come to Him and not be hindered by unauthorized screening from the disciples.

The living Lord continues to proclaim to our generation, “Let the little children come unto me.” Of course I am aware this passage is not specifically related to an unborn child, but the principle remains the same.

Those who are created by our Maker are to be cherished by His children. May we never hamper these innocent lives but instead let us embrace them in our affections and in prayerful intercession.

— Stephen Weber is an Assemblies of God minister. Stephen and Brooksyne Weber are self-described “online chaplains” with multiple ministry resources offered through Daily Encouragement Net.