Tag: Invitation

Invitation: Come as a child

But Jesus befriends and elevates children

Matthew 18:1-5 The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “Unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.”

Matthew 19:13-15 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

Where Jesus is King, children are valued, welcomed, and blessed.

And healed.

When you and I come to him as children, God can heal what was harmed and provide what was missing when we were small. Like the little ones Jesus welcomed when he lived on earth, we too can receive the blessing of his comfort and care.

It’s OK to be little.

It’s OK to not know or to not know how to do something.

It’s OK to celebrate growing and learning.

Last weekend the Pittsburgh part of our family spent a lovely time together in eastern Pennsylvania, delighting in the waterfall hike at Ricketts Glen State Park. Hiking a steep and rugged 3.2-mile loop, we enjoyed eighteen waterfalls, from 11 feet to 94 feet high! No image can do them justice. Our little ones, at 6 and 3, are enthusiastic hikers! The song in Portuguese, Aguas Purificadoras by Ana Paula Valadão (start at 50 seconds), kept running through my head. Click here for English (start at 1 minute).

The Airbnb where we stayed had a ping-pong table. On Friday evening after we arrived, my six-year-old granddaughter didn’t succeed in hitting the ball so it would land on the other side of the table. She spent much of Saturday afternoon, evening, and Sunday begging any adult available to practice with her. By the time we left at 4:00 on Sunday, she could volley 12-15 times without missing!

Meanwhile, her three-year-old sister, who could barely see above the table, contented herself with hitting (or more often, throwing) a ping-pong ball all over the house. “I’m too little for that,” she told me, pointing to her sister, thrilled at her success. “But when I’m six, I’ll do it too.”

In the Kingdom of Heaven, embraced by the King, we will always be small.

In the Kingdom of Heaven, we will always be learning and growing.

In the Kingdom of Heaven, it’s OK to be little.

Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike (Mt 11:25).

The Perfect Law, by sculptor/photographer/filmmaker Benjamin Carlucci, Pittsburgh

But Jesus’s body was placed in a tomb

Matthew 27:57-60 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

John 1:4-5, 14, 17-18 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. … The Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. … For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. … The unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.“

Stations of the Cross 8

Benn says about his sculpture:

“It was a delight to work in a physical medium as most of my work is digital. The tactile process of slowly and intricately wrapping delicate strip after delicate strip of paper struck me as fitting, since the scriptures are so often pondered slowly, line by line.

“The photography element was fun too, I ended up creating a sort of human shaped dummy to wrap in the linens and serve as the backdrop for the hand poking through. Lighting and staging said photo was much more akin to my usual art (filmmaking) so it felt good to take the piece into a more familiar setting.

“The writing is Hebrew, all taken from the Torah.

“Overall, I found the entire process to be a fulfilling experience, and I hope others are able to use the piece as a starting point to ponder the stark mysteries of this great story: John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.“

[Debbie] Benn–and all of the artists whose art we have featured in this series–would love to know how their work has impacted you. Please take a moment to post a comment responding to any of the eight. Thank you!

Last week in Brazil someone commented that it’s possible to become so focused on Scripture that we miss personal encounters with Jesus himself. Hearing this, I thought of Benn’s sculpture, and the invitation to come to Jesus to receive life. Come just as you are.

If you’re like my husband Dave, who can’t wait to return from these posts about the cross to the garden where Jesus emerged ALIVE from the tomb, you’ll be glad there is still another week of Easter season before Pentecost on May 28!