Household & Heritage Conference

Household & Heritage Conference Vespers

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Rathdrum, Idaho

August 24, 2024

Text: Luke 18:15-17

            We dare not come between Jesus and the babies.  Luke uses the word infants in our text, βρέφη, the word for newborns, or even babies in utero.  We dare not come between Jesus and the βρέφη.  What does that teach us about the sanctity of life inside the womb?  What does it teach us about the sanctity of newborn life entrusted to our care?  Then, Jesus uses the general word for children in our text, παιδία.  So, unborn and newborn, infants, and children of all ages.  What is our responsibility toward them?  What is our privilege?

            We should be like those bringing the infants to Jesus, that He might touch them… and not like the disciples, who rebuked them.  The poor disciples, they just didn’t understand.  Their fallen minds had been shaped by the culture, to regard infants and children, born or unborn, as somehow less human, of lesser dignity, less worthy of Jesus’ time and attention, than were adults.  And so, in rebuking them, the disciples excluded them from Jesus’ saving presence and Gospel gifts.

            Do we do that?  How have our fallen minds been shaped by our culture, to regard infants and children, born or unborn, as somehow less human, of lesser dignity, less worthy of Jesus’ time and attention, than we adults?  How have we rebuked them and excluded them from Jesus’ saving presence and Gospel gifts?  

            Of course, abortion, by its very nature, does this, robbing Jesus’ precious little ones of life, and opportunity to know Him, and receive His saving touch.  We commend these helpless victims to His mercy (it’s a great tragedy, and it is possible that they are lost), and we must speak clearly to the world, and to our fellow Christians (to one another), on this issue.  Abortion is not healthcare.  It is not a right.  Abortion is murder.  We must work and pray for its abolition.  And we must love and care for those who have fallen prey to the demonic deception that they had no other choice.  We must speak Christ’s forgiveness and mercy to them, and care for their emotional, spiritual, and bodily needs.

            But it hits closer to home.  What about unduly delaying Baptism for weeks, months, or years on end, for sentimental reasons (we want Aunt Freda to be there, and she can only come next year), or because we simply despise the gift, failing to recognize that Baptism is the saving touch of Jesus that gives to babies His Spirit and faith, and brings them into His Kingdom, His Family?  (Incidentally, I’ve heard ad nauseum during the course of my ministry, parents say they want to wait until their child gets older, and can choose for him or herself, whether they want to be baptized.  Well, the answer to that is, you’ve already made the choice for them.  You either choose to raise them in the faith, or you choose to raise them outside the faith.  There is no third, in-between, option.) 

            How else do we hinder the children from coming to Jesus?  How about keeping them out of the Divine Service?  After all, they don’t understand what is happening, what is being said, and they distract the rest of us, so… children’s church!  Stuff them off in another room where they’re neither seen, nor heard.  No.  No, beloved.  That robs them of hearing the living voice of the Savior… of simply being with Him in His House, in His presence, not to mention learning the liturgy by heart before they even understand the words, growing up into mature Christians who participate in the life of worship, the sacramental life of the Church.  It teaches our children that the Divine Service is not for them.  And then we wonder why they grow up and stop coming to Church!

            What about Sunday School?  Or, whatever you call it.  I like Blessed Sacrament’s “Augsburg Academy.”  Catechism?  Other congregational activities?  Do we bring our children, encourage our children, show our children the importance of these things by our own example and full participation?

            What about catechesis in the home?  From the beginning, even when they are too small to comprehend, teaching our children the Scriptures.  That their whole life be molded by the Scriptures.  Bible stories.  Daily readings.  Catechism.  Prayer for and with them.  Teaching them the Psalms, prayers, and hymns of the Church.  Morning and evening prayers, and prayers at mealtime.  Daily contact with Jesus in the home. 

            This matters.  It makes all the difference between the parents who faithfully bring their babies to Jesus, that He might touch them… and the disciples who hinder and rebuke them.  Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16; ESV).  How do you let the children come to Jesus, and make sure you don’t hinder them?  Baptism.  Divine Service.  Catechesis.  Home devotions.  Constant prayer.  Teaching, teaching, teaching.  And, when the time comes, and the child has been instructed and examined, the Supper.  Every week.  As often as possible.  And you, too!  Because you need it.  And because you are leading by example. 

            Where have you failed?  Confess it.  Don’t deny it, but confess it.  Confess it to Jesus, who forgives your sins.  And do not lose heart.  Because the Promise in this text for the infants and children, is the Promise for you, too.  You receive the Kingdom of God and enter it like a child (v. 17).  And that is to say, as pure gift, by the saving and healing and sin-forgiving touch of Jesus, by His Words of Spirit and Life addressed to you, not by your own merits or works, but by His grace alone.  Like the precious babies who delighted in the Savior’s touch (and I have to imagine, He took them up into His arms, and held His precious little lambs close)… who believed in Him, implicitly trusted Him, because that is the gift He gives in His touch, the blessing He imparts.  That is what He does for you in your Baptism.  That is what He does as His Words enter your ears, so that He takes up residence in your mind and heart and soul and body.  That is what He does when He touches you, feeds you, with His true body and blood in the Holy Supper.  Jesus, who became a βρέφo~ of the Virgin Mary, for you.  Jesus, who died for you.  Jesus, who is risen and lives for you.  Now in you, and you in Him. 

            You want your children to have that.  You want other people’s children to have that.  Are you a parent, or grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling?  You want the children in your life to have that.  Bring them to Jesus, that He may touch them, and by His bodily presence impart His life and salvation.  Are you a Godparent, a baptismal or catechetical sponsor?  This is especially your duty.  And what if you don’t have children in your life, at least not directly?  You still know those who do.  Especially the children and parents of the Church.  Pray.  Pray for them.  And as opportunity presents itself, be involved in bringing the little ones to Jesus.

            And each one of you, always, be a little one before Jesus.  One in His arms.  One who receives.  Grace alone.  Faith alone.  Christ alone.  The gift is yours, dear βρέφo~.  The very Kingdom of God.  In the Name of the Father, and of the Son X, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.