Take

and taking [the child] in his arms . . .  

 - From Mark 9

If you were going to "take" something . . . what would you do? How would you do that?

You can "take" a left turn. This means you will steer your vessel to port. 

If you "take" a week off . . . you will not be reporting back to work for at least seven days. 

You can "take" a fast pitch, which means you don't swing at it. 

"Take" is an active word. You "take" your medication, which means you will ingest it. 

Jesus took a child in His arms, to make a point about humility and servanthood. And this picture in your mind is, the Lord has lifted a child up, and is holding him or her close to His chest. In holding the child, He is protecting him. He carries her . . . which means she goes where He does. 

Jesus equated this act with welcoming. And we are to welcome others. We are hospitable. We open our doors. We bring them in and care for them. We feed them. We shelter them. We provision them. We take them. And we do so actively. We do it to the "least of these." We help those most needy. We swallow our pride, and serve them.

Our emphasis is not on being right, or popular, or strong, or attractive, or clever, or well-educated. 

It is on becoming lowly, so that we can help the lowliest. We get them what they need. 

We take them.

I'm sorry. In talking about the neediest person, Jesus demonstrates what to do . . . and He lifts the needy person into His arms. He gets as close as He can, to them . . . because in the end that's the most needful thing of all. 

The separation of humanity from itself, for any reason, is a parameter that must not be permitted. Care for the sick. Put them away from others, so that their illness doesn't spread. But do not compel forced distancing from others. Someone has to go in and serve. Someone has to get close. Someone has to serve. 

Someone has to touch. 

Someone has to take.