Preparing for Easter: Week 3

Stained Glass Reflections on the Life of Christ

Recommended Reading: Matt. 18:1-6, 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 10:21

This week, we jump to a moment during Jesus’ ministry that likely happened MANY times. We have a specific incident mentioned in Matthew 18 and Mark 10, but I have no doubt that there were many occasions in Jesus’ life where He took time to speak to a child and welcome them in His arms. Jesus loved kids. After all, He became a child Himself. And He is still in the business of welcoming and loving children.

Take a long look at this stained-glass painting and ponder: What stands out to you?

Week 3: Jesus & the Children

#1: WHY HIGHLIGHT JESUS WITH KIDS? The first thing that occurs to me in looking at this image is: why is it here? Why in a series of stained-glass pieces going through the life of Christ would there be one dedicated specifically to Jesus’ welcome of kids? After all, there’s not a stained glass of His many miracles – no feeding of the 5,000, no walking on water, no turning water into wine, no healings, casting out demons, or raising from the dead. So why children?

Jesus spoke about children often in His ministry. In Matthew 18:3, He even uses them as an illustration of saving faith: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” How ironic, then, that in the very next chapter, Jesus’ disciples try to turn children away!
 
The depiction of Jesus’ interaction with children in this stained-glass image reminds us that Christ welcomes all who are lowly. Those who come to Him will never be cast out, whether they are hardened sinners or little children. This piece of art showcases the heart of all of Jesus’ teachings and healings: He came to seek and save the lost and welcome humanity back to God.


#2: RELAXED, NOT RUSHED: Notice how Jesus’ face and posture appear. He’s in no hurry. He’s not irritated that these two kids have interrupted His busy ministry schedule to sit with Him, to bring Him flowers, to jabber about their lives and undoubtedly, ask way too many questions, as kids do. Reading through Jesus’ life, we notice very quickly how different He is from other religious leaders (and from us!). He’s busy but not flustered, purposeful but not stressed about it, on mission but never irritated. What a difference from our frenetic pace! If two random kids tried to interrupt you at work, would you look as Jesus does here? Or would you be hurrying them off, trying to get back to what seems more important?


#3: RECEIVING HONOR: Notice the child presenting flowers to Jesus. Kids do love to pick flowers, and they typically give them to a person they love and admire, like Mom or Dad. Yet, this child has instinctively given these flowers to Jesus. Something about this Man has drawn admiration and love from this child. One reason Jesus draws His disciples’ attention to the attitude of a child is that children have an innate ability to be humble and simple. They don’t put on airs.

This child is in the presence of the God of the universe, the One who made every flower that ever existed, the One who upholds the whole universe by the Word of His power. And he wants to give Him a gift.
Let’s not miss the underlying message of this beautiful image: Jesus loves children, and in response, they turn to him in simple trust. That’s the right response to the majesty and glory of God: to become like a child, presenting whatever meager offering you can, recognizing your smallness but wanting to love God to the best of your ability. Let’s become like little children this Easter season and spend time with the One who always takes time for us.