Greetings, dear ones.
I have a confession to make: I ran off to the mountain for a few hours today to play (ski) in the snow. Conditions were not as perfect as I was hoping, but I sure got a good old man workout.
Another confession is that I robbed the basic composition below from my 2012 file. But even for me, it’s kind of like reading something new—like reading someone else’s writing. That’s how well my old man forgetter works.
Blessings on your evening. Ray.
We don’t spend a lot of time watching video movies. But we do have (or did have) the movie “Muppet Treasure Island.” Thano nearly memorized it when we were in Vanuatu. I’m remembering the scene at the ship before the Captain is presented. The First Mate, Mr. Arrow (spelling?) is describing the Captain as “a raging volcano” and a terrifying tyrant who demands absolute obedience. Then the Captain arrives, who turns out to be the mild-mannered Kermit the Frog as Captain Smollet. Someone in the group says, “A frog?” I think it was Rizzo the Rat who comments, “Maybe he gets hopping mad.” Then on board the ship, Mr. Arrow notices a speck of dust on a railing. He demands to know who is responsible for this oversight. I think it was the big-headed ugly character they call “Animal” who is found guilty. Mr. Arrow pronounces, “Thirty lashes and walk the plank!” But then the Captain says, “I didn’t say that, Mr. Arrow.” But Mr. Arrow is quick to defend himself and replies, “Just anticipating your whims, Sir.”
Just like Mr. Arrow, it seems that the disciples can get carried away with their own representation of Jesus to the point that they actually misrepresent Him. (Do you think that ever happens in our day?) In yesterday’s reading, for example, John informed Jesus that they had tried to stop someone else from trying to use the Name of Jesus in casting out demons. John was expecting to be commended for his dealing with this “wanna-be” disciple, but instead he was rebuked. Contrary to the disciples’ thinking, Jesus was not trying to establish some exclusive little religious clique. And now in today’s reading, the disciples take it upon themselves to rebuke people for bringing their children to Jesus. It was like they were saying, “Our Master is a ‘raging volcano’ of intolerance Who does not have time for trivial matters like children.” When Jesus heard what they were saying, “he was indignant.” That was the violation that brought Him closest to being that “raging volcano.”
Make no mistake about it—in Jesus’ view, children are important. And the child-like attitude of simple faith and trust in God is a vital one. Putting it all together we must conclude that we will best represent Him if we hold to this judgment and demonstrate this attitude.
“Children should be taught more about the Rock of Ages than about the ages of the rocks.”