The lowest and the least

Excerpt from the ragamuffin gospel by Brennan Manning
We tend to idealise childhood as the happy age of innocence, insouciance, and simple faith; but in New Testament times the child was considered of no importance, meriting little attention or favour. According to Albert Nolan, “Children in that society had no status at all – they did not count.” The child was regarded with scorn.

For the disciple of Jesus, “becoming like a little child” means the willingness to accept oneself as being of little account and to be regarded as unimportant. The little child who is the image of the kingdom is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society, the poor and the oppressed, the beggars, the prostitutes and tax collectors - the people whom Jesus often called the “little ones” or the “least.” Jesus’ concern was that these little ones should not be despised or treated as inferior [see Matthew 18:10]. He was well aware of their feelings of shame and inferiority, and because of His compassion they were, in His eyes, of extraordinarily great value. As far as he was concerned, they had nothing to fear. The kingdom was theirs. “There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom” [Luke 12:32].

Jesus gave these scorned little ones a privileged place in the kingdom and presented them as models to would-be disciples. They were to accept the kingdom in the same way a child would accept her allowance. If the children were privileged, it was not because they merited privilege, but simply because God took pleasure in these little ones whom adults despised.

There is a wondrous open-mindedness about children and an insatiable desire to learn from life. An open attitude is like an open door – a welcoming disposition toward fellow travellers who knock on our door during the middle of the day, the middle of the week, or the middle of a lifetime.

If we maintain the open-mindedness of children, we challenge fixed ideas and established structures, including our own. We listen to people in other denominations and religions. We don’t find demons in those with whom we disagree. We don’t cosy up to people who mouth our jargon. We focus on both/and fully aware that God’s truth cannot be imprisoned in a small definition.

Hear, Hear! :) [or is that read, read!]

I read this book in the holiday’s, and was blown away by this excerpt. It was one of those “light-bulb” moments. I am often blown away by my childrens’ knowledge and understanding of God, and yet, should I be? After reading this, I think not. We have experienced some of this through my daughter, Aimee. Aimee has autism, and we have struggled to have her accepted in Sunday School, and in other organizations too. Her behaviour can be difficult in group settings. She doesn’t like crowds, or loud music/noise. There is much to learn from her though, especially when she is usually the first to go to God in prayer, and is quick to forgive others. I often feel that if Jesus were here today, he would just LOVE Aimee. I think that’s what we are all called to do.

If you want to be challenged, think about getting hold of this book… It is EXCELLENT reading.