7 September 2026

Jesus was angry, angrier than  anywhere else in the Gospels. He was angry because  his friends were trying to stop  the children coming to see him. ‘Let the children come to me, do not stop them.’ They can teach us about God and his kingdom. Three things.

Firstly, it is a gift and not something which we can achieve by our own efforts. That’s why children are right there in the midst of it. And that’s why parents promise not to give their child faith but opportunities to get to know God and be touched by his surprising love.

Secondly, God’s kingdom it is an upside down world where the last shall be first. And here Jesus chooses to welcome  the little children who are suddenly made visible. They are no longer obscure, trivial or unimportant but for that moment, they illuminate the character of God’s kingdom. What a privilege!

Thirdly, God’s Kingdom is characterised by joy. It is a kingdom of surprises. But perhaps the biggest surprise is the ministry which children are called to exercise.  ‘Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ says Jesus.

When we baptise a child, we receive her with joy.  The emotion celebrates the spontaneity of the moment, relieves us of our roles and titles and introduces us to a different world characterised by play, question marks, wonder, delight, surprise.

When young people are given their rightful place within the life of a congregation something interesting  happens – our thinking changes. Because they are visible we begin to accommodate them and slowly but surely the kirk is transformed and the words of the prophet begin to unfold, ‘A little child shall lead them.’