Jesus Went with Haste

Just then one of Jesus’ followers came near the children and said, “Go away. Jesus is busy teaching the adults. What he is teaching is very important, so go away. You are disturbing the adults.” At that moment Jesus stopped what he was saying. Haste was sitting right next to Jesus and could tell that he was very upset. Jesus stood up and looked right at that follower of his and said sternly, “Let the children come to me. Do not make them leave.” Then, with a smile on his face, he looked right at Jerusha. Jerusha was embarrassed when Jesus looked at her, so she looked down at the ground, but she could still hear his words when he said, “The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” Jerusha knew that Jesus could not mean her. Nothing belonged to her except her little wooden doll. She did not even have a mother and father. God’s Kingdom could not possibly be hers. She looked at the ground and began slowly to back away. That is when a great commotion began as mothers and fathers started rushing forward with their children. Jesus had invited the children to come see him, so the mothers and fathers were making sure that their own children could be blessed by Jesus. Jerusha looked up and from a distance she could see children sitting on Jesus’ lap and being blessed by him. They were all laughing and smiling together. She wanted to go forward, but she had no mother or father to lead her and help her. “If I only had a mom or dad, they would help me see Jesus,” thought Jerusha. She was too shy to come forward all by herself. Haste was still sitting next to Jesus. He could see Jerusha as she slowly started to leave. Haste thought, That little girl needs to meet Jesus. Why does she not come forward? Where is her mother or father? Why is no one bringing her forward? Quickly Haste ran toward Jerusha and gave a short little bark. Jerusha stopped, knelt down, and began to pet Haste. “I believe your name is Haste,” she said. “I love little doggies. I bet it is wonderful to be with Jesus all the time. He seems so kind.” Haste gave Jerusha a big lick on her hand. Then he gently tugged on her sleeve. She did not move. Then Haste tugged again and tried to start pulling Jerusha toward Jesus. Being with Haste somehow made Jerusha more brave than usual. So very slowly Jerusha went with Haste to meet Jesus. As she started to walk toward Jesus, Jesus looked up and saw them coming. He walked through the crowd of other children and parents and came straight to Jerusha. Jesus said, “Why Jerusha, I am so glad you came to see me today.” Jerusha could hardly speak. She somehow said, “How, how do you know my name?” Jesus said, “Jerusha, I know the names of all of my children. You are a child of God. You are precious to me, and I love you very dearly. I know that you do not have any parents here on earth with you, but you are God’s child. And God will always love you and care for you. Do you believe me Jerusha?” Jerusha’s heart was pounding. She had never felt the joy that she felt in her heart. She looked at Jesus with tears in her eyes and said, “I believe you, Jesus. And I love you, too.” Then Jesus picked Jerusha up in his arms. He held her up for everyone to see and with love in his voice he shouted, “I want everyone to meet Jerusha. She is a child of God and is precious in God’s eyes. God’s Kingdom of love and kindness belong to her and to all of God’s children who are like her.”