Jesus Welcomes the Vulnerable (Matthew 19)
(The full livestream of the worship service this sermon reflection comes from is available here.)
In a world that often measures worth by power, success, or status, Jesus tells a very different story about who matters in the kingdom of God. Jesus welcomes the vulnerable.
In Matthew 19:13–15, Jesus welcomes children who were considered among the most vulnerable members of society. This short moment reveals something powerful about God’s kingdom.
Parents bring their children to Jesus for blessing. At first glance it feels like a small moment. But when we understand the world Jesus lived in, we realize just how radical this moment really is.
Because in Jesus’ time, children had almost no social standing.
Children in the Ancient World
In the ancient world, children had little status or authority. They depended entirely on the protection of adults and had almost no voice in society.
They represented vulnerability.
And that is exactly why this moment matters.
The Disciples Try to Build a Wall
When parents bring their children to Jesus, the disciples step in and try to stop them.
From their perspective, they are probably trying to protect Jesus’ time. Important teachers should spend their energy on important people.
Why bother him with children?
So the disciples create a barrier. They try to decide who deserves access to Jesus.
In other words, they start building a wall.
Jesus Tears the Wall Down
He immediately pushes back.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19:14)
Jesus does not simply tolerate the children.
He welcomes them.
And then he points to them as an example of who belongs in God’s kingdom.
God’s Kingdom Works Differently
One of the core insights of Lutheran theology is that God’s grace does not depend on status, success, or worthiness.
God’s kingdom does not belong to the powerful. It belongs to those who know their need for grace.
Who Are the Vulnerable Today?
Children represented vulnerability in Jesus’ time. Today, vulnerability appears in many forms.
- Immigrants seeking safety and stability
- Families struggling to make ends meet
- People facing discrimination or exclusion
- Those living with mental health challenges, addiction, or disability
- Elderly neighbors who feel forgotten
- Anyone society labels as unimportant or invisible
Here in Tucson we see this reality every day—in families navigating rising housing costs, in neighbors seeking refuge and safety, and in those who quietly carry burdens that others never see.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America speaks directly to this calling. In its social statement Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective, the ELCA reminds us that the church is called to seek the well-being of our neighbors, especially those who are most vulnerable. Additionally the social statement Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All furthers our commitment.
Following Jesus means paying attention to the people the world ignores.
Sometimes We Are the Vulnerable
There is another truth here as well.
Sometimes we are the vulnerable ones.
Churches that practice radical welcome and inclusion sometimes find themselves criticized or pushed aside. Some will say that welcoming everyone is going too far.
But when we experience exclusion ourselves, it can deepen our compassion for others who live on the margins every day.
It helps us recognize the people Jesus is always moving toward.
Our Calling as the Church
Jesus does not simply welcome the vulnerable.
He calls his followers to do the same.
The ELCA reminds us that faith is lived out not only in worship but in our life together and our responsibility to our neighbors. We are called to seek justice, serve our communities, and participate in God’s work of healing the world.
In other words, we join Jesus in tearing down walls.
Sometimes that looks like:
- Creating spaces where people truly feel welcomed
- Speaking up when others are marginalized
- Supporting ministries that care for those in need
- Examining our own assumptions and biases
- Using our voices to advocate for our neighbors
A Lenten Reminder
During the season of Lent, we are invited to look honestly at our hearts and our lives.
Where have we built walls?
Where might God be calling us to practice deeper compassion?
The good news we hear in this story is simple and powerful: the good news is protection and care for the vulnerable.
God’s kingdom sounds like welcome.
It feels like mercy.
It looks like Jesus kneeling down to bless a child everyone else tried to turn away.
And Jesus says clearly:
Let them come.
Do not stop them.
Questions for Reflection
- Who are the “children” in our community today—the people society overlooks?
- What walls might we be building without realizing it?
- Where might God be inviting us to practice deeper welcome?
About New Spirit Lutheran Church
New Spirit Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation in Tucson, Arizona committed to practicing radical welcome, thoughtful faith, and compassionate service in our community. We gather for worship, grow through study and prayer, and seek to follow Jesus in caring for our neighbors.
