Just Children?

I find it curious that when there is some sort of catastrophe and a child is involved the newscast reads:  4 injured, including a child.  Why is that?  What is the reason behind the fact that when a child is involved an added comment is merited?  Do we intrinsically feel that a child’s life is of special value, perhaps even of more significance than the adults present in the accident?  Are we saddened to think that a vulnerable, innocent life had been affected by the carelessness of an adult? (Surely the child was not at fault.)  Do we as a society actually suffer by the potential lost when a child is hurt or killed at the hand of another?

Why do I find this curious?  It’s because of the way we, at other times, express our feelings towards children.  We all have heard the phrase:  “just a child” in our casual conversations.  “Yes, there will be six for dinner, but one is just a child.”  Oh, well, we can be late for the game … he’s just a child, he won’t care.”  “Don’t worry, I can meet with you – I was just supposed to take my kid to lunch.”  How about … “We won’t go to the church service this week because it’s just the children.”  And then there are the horrible, degrading bumper stickers that I will not quote … but please remove them from your car!

Really, what do we think about children?  At the core of society, what place do the children have?  In your adult world, what emphasis do you place on kids?  Are you here to care for them … are they here to serve you … is a child just a nuisance that grows up to be a pain … is he/she the potential fulfillment of your own hopes and dreams to be rich and/or famous?  Be honest.  And I think that the answer may be troubling at best.  Children are degraded and ignored on a regular basis.  They are rushed and pushed and basic childhood is overlooked.  Children understand that they are not smart or big enough or important enough to have a voice.  They are told this every day.  Many live in fear and have no control.  Many live in hunger and have no resources.  Many live with a healthy, curious mind and are oppressed   Children are shushed because “the adults are talking.”

What does Jesus think about this?  What does He say to those who would treat our most vulnerable human beings with disrespect and casual dismissal?  What does He say to those who would purposefully harm children or lead them into a lie?  What does He say to those who shove the kids aside so that the adults can address important matters? 

He says a lot.  When Jesus was walking on this earth, people followed.  And children were there.  When He spoke to the multitudes, people listened.  And children were there.  There were no babysitters or childcare facilities.  Where parents went, the children were along.  Therefore, they were there for Jesus to pull into the middle of an argument between two disciples … “Who is the most important in the kingdom of Heaven?”  I envision Jesus scooping up a little boy and setting him on a the rock where He was resting, ruffling his hair, asking his name and then turning to the bewildered men and saying …  “Unless you become like a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven …” 

Find a Bible.  Open it up to Matthew 18.  Read what I have just quoted … but … continue reading and you will find a serious warning directed towards those who would hurt or misguide the lives of those who Jesus considers most precious … children.  Our children … your children.  Matthew 19:13-15 is another place where Jesus parts the crowd and brings the children into the center of his teaching.  Do not think that this was a gentle, quiet manner that Jesus addresses the adults around him.  Rather, it was a stern, angry voice that told the adults to back off.  Don’t you get it?  It is the children that are our examples of who we need to be … what we need to be like.  It is a child’s heart that receives Jesus most easily, loves Him completely and trusts Him just because He is Jesus. 

Be like them.  They aren’t ‘just children’ … they are Jesus’ closest friends.