Just how easy is it to come to Jesus? It's so easy a child can do it. A wonderful story found in Luke 18 reveals just how true this is.

Lk 18:15-17 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

So let me get this straight. The children want to come to Jesus. Jesus wants the children to come to him. But the adults, his disciples, get in the way because in their mind, belief, perspective, conviction, rules, or culture, the children had no access.

Jesus, beautifully enlightens his disciples and all that were there that the children have what it takes to come to him. No child heart - no entrance to his kingdom. What was it they had that the disciples failed to see? The children simply and sincerely wanted to be touched by Jesus so moved towards him.

What is sad is how it was the disciples of Jesus that nearly made that impossible. Throughout the ages Christ's disciples have created more obstacles and detours for people to be saved than clear paths. The roadblocks are man made requirements that define everything from dress codes to altar calls. Yes, an alter call can become an obstacle in that some believe that if a person doesn't come forward when the preacher invites them then they just ain't saved.

I recall a sweet and sincere Christian sister excitedly share with me that her sister called her and declared she accepted Jesus. Wonderful news soon turned sour as she said to me, "I can't wait for her to come to church with me this Sunday so she can walk forward at the altar call." My shared joy came to a grinding halt. "Why," I exclaimed, "does she need to go forward, she already came to Jesus?" The dear sister looked at me like when my dog hears a strange noise. I continued, "She said she accepted Jesus, right? Yes. "She called you to give testimony that she believes in Jesus, right?" Yes. "So, why does she need to go forward on Sunday? Well, uh, I, uh, doesn't she? Now fortunately she hadn't told her sister this was required, as yet. Her sister was the child seeking to be touched and sis was about to say, oh no, you have to do this . . . (fill in the blank).

Friends, it is bad enough that the enemies of Jesus mislead those wanting to be touched, but even worse is when it is his disciples doing so. Remember the teaching of the apostle Paul, "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Rom. 10:13). Yep, Paul cleared a path with that statement. Let's join him and take a machete to those obstacles and detours so the unsaved can be touched.

Blessings

pBob