Let the Family come to Me

BY REV DR FOREST KOH NAM SENG 

LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME; DO NOT HINDER THEM, FOR TO SUCH BELONGS THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

– MARK 10:14

The family gathered around the Word.

First, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” 

Mom jumped in, “Does that mean that those people didn’t know what they were eating was a miracle?”

My son slightly envious said, “I wish I could be part of that eating miracle, or any miracle.”

“Don’t you know we are in a miracle every day? Life is a miracle!” Mom retorted, which was probably what Jesus thought. 

“Yes, I know, but I really want a ‘real’ miracle, something more tangible!” son explained. My daughter was getting a little restless and nodded. 

“Hmmm.… don’t you find everything around you tangible enough? We have been here in the United States for more than two years, but I haven’t had to work, mom hasn’t had to work, and yet we have never lacked anything. Wouldn’t all this qualify as an ‘eating miracle’?” Dad said calmly. Daughter’s eyes slightly grew brighter. 

“Well, you are right….” son agreed, though not very convinced. 

Jesus jumps in on what dad has said about work, adding “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.”

“Do you all understand what Jesus is saying about work? Do you ever consider this as work – to believe?” Dad just loves to ask questions.

“No, dad, it’s not only to believe, but to believe in the one he has sent.” Daughter emphasized. Jesus was pleased. 

“Wow, my daughter is observant! Yes: some believe in work, some in money, some in position, and some just do not believe in the one he sent. What about you, kids?” Mom asked. 

“Yes, I believe in the one he has sent. But I’d still appreciate a more tangible miracle.” Son requested. 

Jesus smiled and said invitingly, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

“Do you believe that you could never go hungry or thirsty? How would you explain something like that?” Dad pursued. 

“Err… mom knows. Mom always has the best answer.” Son dodges the question cheekily. A song adapted from Rossini’s William Tell Overture immediately came to mind: I’m the mom, the mom, the mom…. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuqI6gcZpJA)

“I think Jesus is referring to spiritual hunger and thirst. So, what are you yearning for now? Do you want to go back to Taiwan or Singapore?” Mom knew son was saving up for his trip back. 

“Yes, I miss the food and the people – it’s like there is a hole in my heart, a void, you know.” With the void in his heart was exposed by mom, son suddenly sounded emotional. 

“Do you want us to send you back?” Dad empathized. 

“Are you sure?” Mom worried. 

“If you want…” Dad gave in. 

“Are you sure? Do you know how much it would cost?” Son’s eyes widened. 

“If you really want to go, I will cut out our Johnsonville sausages from our breakfast, we will save up for you… but do you really want to leave us? You’d break my heart! I will miss you!” Dad dramatized.

“Aww, dad, how could I bear to leave you, I will miss you too!” We broke into laughter.    

Jesus sums up, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

We will rejoice then. But for now, we continue to work hard believing in the one he has sent. 

As we celebrate Children’s day, I hope to convey the great joy that it is to gather the whole family around His Word.

May God bless our children and our families.

PS: This is adapted from my journal while I was studying in the United States. My son was 14 when this conversation took place. He was in a stage where he had a lot of questions about his faith. We might not be able to satisfy all his questions but when we gathered around the Word, Jesus spoke to him, as well as to us.