Clearing the Way

In the Gospel of Mark, the Scriptures tell a story many people recognize. A group of parents bring their children to Jesus, hoping he will bless them. As the children approach, the disciples step in and tell them to stop. They probably think they are being helpful by protecting Jesus’ time and maintaining order. But Jesus responds simply: “Let the children come to me.” What the disciples believe is responsible behavior has become a barrier.

Later in the same gospel, a blind man hears that Jesus is nearby and cries out for help. The crowd tries to silence him, telling him to be quiet and not cause trouble. They are likely trying to avoid disruption, but instead they become a stumbling block, deciding for him that his need isn’t worth the interruption. Jesus responds to the blind man and gives him sight.

You may also remember the story of the “wee little man,” Zacchaeus. The crowd surrounding Jesus blocks his view, so he climbs a tree just to see him. The people in the crowd aren’t trying to exclude Zacchaeus - they simply don’t notice that he cannot see. Jesus stops, calls Zacchaeus by name, and goes to his home. That moment changes Zacchaeus’ life.

These stories raise an important question: Are we getting in someone’s way so that they cannot see Jesus?

In a letter to early Christians in Rome, the apostle Paul addresses disagreements over everyday issues like food choices and religious practices. Rather than settling the arguments, Paul urges believers to stop judging one another and to pay attention to how their actions affect others. He recognizes that people grow at different speeds and carry different convictions. When we rush, shame, or pressure others, we become stumbling blocks. Our words, actions, or attitudes may shut down curiosity and trust instead of encouraging growth.

We become stumbling blocks more often than we realize - usually without bad intentions. We do it when we speak more than we listen or assume our personal experience is universal. We get in the way when we dismiss questioning as weakness or prioritize order and tradition over people themselves. We do it when we insist on being right instead of being kind or decide for ourselves who is “ready” or “worthy.”

Most of the people in the gospel stories weren’t trying to be cruel. They thought they were being responsible. But even with good intentions, we can still get in the way, keeping people from recognizing that they matter to God.

Our role is to point to Christ, not replace him. When we insist on our way, our preferences, or our certainty, we risk standing where only Christ should stand. Our task is not to control outcomes, but to keep the path clear so others can encounter Jesus for themselves.

Yes, we hope people will grow in faith. Yes, we hope they will find a path to goodness. But first and always, we are called to not get in the way; to make sure our words, attitudes, and convictions don’t block someone’s view of Christ.

Jesus can and does see around barriers, just as he did with the children, the blind man, and Zacchaeus.  But people often can’t - and love asks us not to build them in the first place.