“Suffer little children to come to me; forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Verily, verily, I say to you, whosoever receives not the kingdom of God as a little child shall hardly enter therein to grow up to the full stature of spiritual manhood.”
“The kingdom of heaven Is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls, and having found one pearl of great price, he went out and sold everything he possessed that he might be able to buy the extraordinary pearl.”
There’s been a change in Jesus since the transfiguration on Mount Hermon. He’s embracing the same fate a more normal person would meet if they’d run afoul of powerful and amoral enemies. He’s made the choice to ‘drink to the dregs’ of human experience, drawing only on his human capabilities while meeting unfairness, humiliation and death—a fate that so often happens to idealistic and innocent people on this world. His teachings have shifted to an even deeper emphasis on the individual’s personal relationship to God.
In his teaching, this personal relationship is entered into by the door of trusting faith. We are naturally young and ignorant like little children but have faith that our ability to connect with God is real. There’s always a feeling of significance when you try, yet no need to fear as this divine presence is the very source of your being. A loving and true Source that is actively wishing to connect with you, too.
Jesus taught that this experience of connection becomes one of mutual discovery. Once it’s begun and felt as reciprocal, it does become like that “pearl of great price”, valued above all other things. The shared inner life with God becomes primary to all other relationships. You learn that he is actively abiding within you which creates a longing for you to abide in him, too. To become more loving, real and courageous. Healthier in body, mind and spirit.
Jesus’s attitude toward his enemies has also changed. He’ll actively approach them another three times in efforts to challenge and change their thinking. Creator Sons are persistent in mercy and even knowing ahead that they are likely bring him to torture and death, he cannot help but try. His mission is to reveal the merciful nature of God. This act will require great sacrifice by him—and not merely of his blood. This will take everything he has.
One of these times takes place upon their return to Magadan Park after the preaching tour of the Decapolis. As they gather to share their experiences, Jesus informs them that he’ll be traveling to Jerusalem, taking ten of the apostles with him. He’ll leave very quickly and go into the very heart of rejection. To take another chance just in case he can coax another soul to find God—hopefully that of a Pharisee.
Reflection
You can’t rely on Jude for information about Jesus anymore. Every time you mention his name, Jude’s mouth hardens into a firm, fixed line and he says nothing. So, you take a day to travel to Magadan Park, which is not far yet still safely under the rule of Caesar Philip, in hopes of finding out when you can speak to him again. Since the night of your dream, you’ve been filled with many strong feelings and have not known what to make of them. Among them is the feeling that he’s meeting this time of public rejection with a complete determination to align with his spirit Father’s will.
You know this part of him. It’s very serious and clear. But you’re still longing to connect and see the expression in his eyes. Attitudes in Capernaum and within his own family have so hardened that it’s being difficult to orient yourself. In trying to understand why it all changed so quickly, all you can think is that he’s the nearest anyone has ever come to being the Messiah and his refusal to raise armies and become the national Deliverer is being seen as unpatriotic and even unholy. The common people don’t understand how he could do this to them when they’re in such need of help and deliverance from Rome. He’s being seen as a traitor and coward.
Where masses of people once gathered to hear his every word, they now spit out his name and speak of him with scorn. That carpenter. Where is he now? The one that talks of loving your enemies and acting with kindness toward those who torment you. What good is he now? We need a fighter-a king.
By the time you get there, you’re told by a remaining apostle that he’d left almost immediately for Jerusalem, and you feel your hands grow cold while a trembling fear takes hold of your belly. Why would he do this? Why would they allow it?
CHILDREN RESPONSE AFTER REFLECTION
This week, the children reflect deeply on how these events unfolded and what they might mean for our own faith, courage, relationships, choices and inner life with God.
Rihana:
I learned that sometimes people may reject you even when you are trying to do what is right simply because they dont understand you.
Flowrence:
The part about the little children touched me because children do not know everything, but they can trust.
France:Sometimes we give much attention to things that do not last, like possessions or what people think about us. But knowing God can become more valuable than those things.
Shalom:This showed me that forgiveness is not always easy. Sometimes love means giving someone another chance even when you are afraid of what they may do.
Erizeth:I was touched by the thought that God is already within us and wants us to connect with Him. I want to make more space in my heart for God because I believe that connection can change the way I live.
Kyatwike:I think Jesus is teaching us courage Courage does not mean that you are never afraid. It can mean knowing that something is difficult and still choosing what you believe is right. I want to have that kind of courage when I face difficulties in my own life.
Victor:
I learned that I should not judge someone only because they do not do what I expect. People can have a different purpose from what I imagine.
Mark:What stayed with me was Jesus loving even his enemies. If someone treats me badly, my first feeling may be to treat them badly too. But Jesus shows another way.
Salima:Health is not only about the body. My thoughts, feelings and relationship with God can also affect how I live.
Benjamin:Sometimes I may feel that nobody understands me or that my efforts are useless when i do this reflection teaches me to continue doing good without needing everyone to approve of me.
Desilanta:
I thought about the sentence saying that Jesus wanted to give his enemies more opportunities to change. It made me ask myself how many opportunities I really give other people.
Christopher: jesus did not choose the easy road just because it was safer. I learned that sometimes doing what is right may require sacrifice.
Jerimiah:
The reflection made me think about the difference between wanting God to give me what I want and wanting to know God's will. The people wanted Jesus to become a powerful king I want to learn to trust God even when His way is different .
