Matt 19:14, “But Jesus said, “Let the little children come*~ to me and do not try to stop~| them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
How Jesus loved little children! The disciples were rebuking the parents for bringing their children to Jesus for Him to touch and pray for them. Perhaps they thought that Jesus was too important or too busy to be bothered with children. Was this a waste of time in the midst of more important issues? To emphasize the importance of this issue, Jesus gave a double command to cease and desist (“let the little children come” and “Cease trying to stop them”).
Apparently the disciples had missed the recent lesson (18:2) on children, when He called a child in the audience to come to Him and said, ”Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” He then added that the characteristic of a child that He admires is humility (18:4), a willingness to trust Jesus’ word without question. Further He warned that anyone who “causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (18:6). Causing children to doubt truth, or encouraging children to be tempted to experience sinful behavior has horrible consequences.
The beauty of the gospel is that it can be understood by young children. The gospel is not a mystery reserved for the initiated or a highly intellectual theory requiring years of research. On the contrary, the gospel is amazingly designed for anyone who wants to know God and live with Him forever. When children, or anyone, recognize that they have disobeyed God’s commands, such as “Honor your parents” (5th commandment), “Do not bear false witness or tell a lie” (9th commandment), “Do not steal” (8th commandment) or “Do not covet” (10th commandment), they can understand their sinfulness, that is, they are not a "good person." Then they see their need for forgiveness. Jesus said He came to save sinners, not those who thought they were good people. Jesus welcomes anyone seeking His forgiveness and acceptance, regardless of age. Care and patience should be taken to assure this basic understanding for a sincere commitment to Christ.
These children evidently knew enough to want to come to Jesus. The term for “children” (paidion) usually refers to K-9 age children. Jesus knew that the future of His Church was in the hands of these little children.
Jesus also knew that the humble, open receptivity of these children was in stark contrast to the stubborn pride of the religious and intellectual people who let their education, pride or sophistication quench the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus. Anyone of any age who comes to Christ in faith with a willingness to trust whatever Jesus says has a warm welcome from Jesus now and later in the kingdom.
Encourage and pray for all the children ministries that you know.
Psalms 119:73 “Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.”
For a year's daily devotional of these Bible studies, order a copy of the book Truths to Live By at Branches Publications for your copy.
How Jesus loved little children! The disciples were rebuking the parents for bringing their children to Jesus for Him to touch and pray for them. Perhaps they thought that Jesus was too important or too busy to be bothered with children. Was this a waste of time in the midst of more important issues? To emphasize the importance of this issue, Jesus gave a double command to cease and desist (“let the little children come” and “Cease trying to stop them”).
Apparently the disciples had missed the recent lesson (18:2) on children, when He called a child in the audience to come to Him and said, ”Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” He then added that the characteristic of a child that He admires is humility (18:4), a willingness to trust Jesus’ word without question. Further He warned that anyone who “causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (18:6). Causing children to doubt truth, or encouraging children to be tempted to experience sinful behavior has horrible consequences.
The beauty of the gospel is that it can be understood by young children. The gospel is not a mystery reserved for the initiated or a highly intellectual theory requiring years of research. On the contrary, the gospel is amazingly designed for anyone who wants to know God and live with Him forever. When children, or anyone, recognize that they have disobeyed God’s commands, such as “Honor your parents” (5th commandment), “Do not bear false witness or tell a lie” (9th commandment), “Do not steal” (8th commandment) or “Do not covet” (10th commandment), they can understand their sinfulness, that is, they are not a "good person." Then they see their need for forgiveness. Jesus said He came to save sinners, not those who thought they were good people. Jesus welcomes anyone seeking His forgiveness and acceptance, regardless of age. Care and patience should be taken to assure this basic understanding for a sincere commitment to Christ.
These children evidently knew enough to want to come to Jesus. The term for “children” (paidion) usually refers to K-9 age children. Jesus knew that the future of His Church was in the hands of these little children.
Jesus also knew that the humble, open receptivity of these children was in stark contrast to the stubborn pride of the religious and intellectual people who let their education, pride or sophistication quench the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus. Anyone of any age who comes to Christ in faith with a willingness to trust whatever Jesus says has a warm welcome from Jesus now and later in the kingdom.
Encourage and pray for all the children ministries that you know.
Psalms 119:73 “Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.”
For a year's daily devotional of these Bible studies, order a copy of the book Truths to Live By at Branches Publications for your copy.
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