Proper 18: Gospel, Matthew 18:1-20                                     

Matthew 18:1-20

Goodness me, we hear this all the time. Those of us who practice the biblical and historical rite of baptizing infants and young children are roundly criticized with the declaration, “Babies can’t have faith.” This venue is far too limited for a full discussion of the issue and there are many biblical points to be considered when you both read passages actually dealing with baptism and open the first two-thirds of the bible to the discussion. Yes, as is so often the case, the Old Testament sets the stage for the full discussion.

Jesus is teaching, countering the very adult and “educated” idea among his disciples that the greatest is the one who holds sway over others. Power, position, influence, and might I say brain power? Jesus trashes that entire approach to greatness and in its place sets the model of young children, the youngest of children, I might add. The very characteristics of those entering the kingdom of heaven are child-like. And man oh man does that make our “big people” ideas about what “gets us in” take a back seat. And quickly. It isn’t the erudite, educated, or cultured who step in. In fact it isn’t any human qualities that bring us to the King. What brings us to the King is His open arms. Arms opened at the cross.  And He lifts us and immerses us into Himself for it is Jesus who does the baptizing, not us (Matthew 3:11-12). And that is what guarantees that any may come. The infant, the mentally-challenged, and the aged.

You see, residing in the Old Adam is the penchant for having our fingerprints somewhere on the door handle of paradise. The scriptures lend us no such luxury. The Lord is my salvation. Or is He? There is no room for additions and no place to say that even faith opens the door. Faith grabs the hand. The nail-pierced, extended hand. And even the youngest child can do that.