Scripture Reading: Luke 18:9-17
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Let the Children Come: What is The place of Children in Worship?
By James Huenink
Grace, Mercy, and Peace
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Reformation Rediscovered
Martin Luther rediscovered the gospel many centuries ago when the question of being a Christian was more about all of the things that you do. Christianity was a thing that was external to the person. You do the right rituals, say the right things, and then you were fine.
The Reformation was all about not the things that we do, but the gifts we receive. That because Jesus Christ died on a cross, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and promises to return, all who believe in him simply receive salvation by the power of his gifts.
Receiving the Kingdom
The gospel reading today talks about two people who simply receive.
One, the tax collector, who doesn't focus on the great things he does, but on his sin and asks for mercy.
The other, the child, the infant, the lowly member of society, least important, who would have been cast out.
But Jesus tells us that anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a child, as one who only receives, cannot enter it.
Thinking about Reception & the Lowly
And today as we think about the Reformation, we think about reception, about being lowly, about being sinners. And our reading points us to: what do we do for the lowest among us?
As it says, “Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him saying, ‘Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’”
Children in the Divine Service
Recently, our congregation has been asking a question: What is the place of children in the divine service? Should they be here? Should they be somewhere else? Should we have them in children's church or here among us? And this passage where Jesus says, “Let the children come to me,” raises that issue.
Everyone on whatever side of this question, good-hearted Christians who love and want the best both for our congregation and for the children who come here.
So we're going to examine this question today based on Jesus's words.
Jesus Calls All
Jesus says, “Let the children come to me.” And Luke's gospel is especially specific. The other gospels don't mention this one where it says even infants. This one says, all the children, let them come to me. Doesn't matter the age, doesn't matter who they are—let them come to me.
We as the people in the body of Christ baptize children because they become one with us, they drink of the same Spirit in the baptism we receive and gather together into the same body. Jesus says, bring infants, children, all of the above to gather together into the divine service.
The Lowly Ones: Tax Collector and Children
It ties together with this tax collector because both are the lowly ones. The tax collector is the one who is lowly because his sins burden him so much that he says he is not righteous and won't even look up into heaven. The infants are lowly because they don't have anything to contribute. They can't discuss things in Bible study or put anything in the offering plate. In fact, the only time they contribute is when there's a whine or a shriek or a cry—they are the lowliest among us.
And you know this because anytime you walk onto an airplane and see a baby, you know how you react. But Jesus didn't die for the important. He didn't die for those who can contribute or for the powerful. He died for sinners. For people who only receive. Just like you, just like me. Whether it's an infant or an adult, we all have the same status in the kingdom of God, needing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We simply receive the grace of God in baptism. We simply receive the gift of salvation as someone who contributes nothing except the sin that makes our salvation necessary.
“Let All Who Need to Receive Come…”
So when Jesus says, “Let the children come to me,” he is simply saying, let all who need to receive come. Gather together in the presence of Christ where we gather around his word and sacrament because this is the place where we meet Jesus. This is the one place where the entire body of Christ comes together to receive that grace and forgiveness in His word and through the sacraments. There is no partiality, no division. We are all of the same level.
No Partiality
James gets into this too in James 2:1:
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.”
He talks about what happens when the church gathers together and sits the rich person up in front and says, “Here, take the place of honor,” and the poor person “sit over there.” But I think it is about the same when we say children belong in the nursery and adults in the divine service. They are equal members of the body of Christ.
Gathering as One Body
So we gather all people, our whole community, children, adults, and everyone else because here is the place where we receive that grace. Here is the place where they get to hear from their pastor, be blessed, and receive holy communion. They get to gather together and meet the rest of the body of Christ and come together in community around their Savior. The same things that draw you here—the same salvation, the same gifts, the same body of Christ—all of us brought together as one.
Addressing Objections
The Distraction Concern
I know some will say, “children are noisy and distracting.” And they can be. Children do not have the attention span and control that many of us adults have. Sometimes they move, squeal, cry, yell. I get that. I feel it too. But adults can do the same. And we don't ask them to leave.
In my previous church, there was a wonderful Christian gentleman named Wally. He would do a running monologue during the sermon—like Mystery Science Theater 3000 for the pastor. Nobody asked him to leave. When a cellphone goes off, we don't say, “You’ve got to get out of here.”
What would happen if someone with autism or a neurodivergent adult came to our church and couldn't control their noises? Would we say, “You're not allowed to be here?” God welcomes all.
Children Learn Better Elsewhere?
Another objection is that children learn better in a child-friendly class. And yes, learning knowledge is certainly easier that way, which is why we have Sunday School. But the divine service is about more than just Bible knowledge. Divine service is about gathering around Christ and his word.
Are we teaching children a faith that they grow out of or grow into? Is it just for children, or for all ages?
The Struggle for Parents
The last objection comes from parents: “Pastor, my kids are hard to handle. I wish I could pay attention.” It would be easier, but it also teaches children that they don't worship with you.
The most important thing a parent can do is show their child: I sing, I worship, I listen—this is important. Even if the child seems not to pay attention, they're absorbing everything.
Children Learn More Than We Think
A story: In my first church, a preschooler ran to get a bathrobe and a tie to imitate me after services, then led a whole mini-service for his family. Even while coloring in the pew, he knew exactly what we were doing every Sunday. Children absorb more than we realize.
The Blessing of Loving Community
Sometimes parents feel overwhelmed, but our congregation has shown so much love to families with children, like Sam and Asher. With people willing to help, to love, to support—they feel embraced, not judged. What a beautiful community.
This is a great opportunity for us to love people and be the family of God.
Conclusion
God calls children to come to Christ, beginning in baptism and through their whole lives in the divine service. Whether we are 90 or 9, the grace of God is here for all.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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