Mark 10:13-16 “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”
Oh how I love Jesus! This story falls immediately the telling of Jesus confrontation with the Pharisees over the religious legalism and hardness of heart that was behind their way of relating to the issue of divorce. And whether these stories are truly chronological in occurrence or not they each carry a significant sense of confrontation with wrong heart conditions in regard to the value of religious protocol and traditions versus the value a person! People were bringing their children to Jesus to have Him touch them and the disciples seemed to be focused on protecting Jesus from this inconvenience. Their reaction obviously diminishes the value of children in importance to not being worthy of the attention of Christ! I am so grateful to that He quickly corrects this wrong thinking.
The disciples were rebuking the parents who were bringing their children to Jesus and the intensity of Jesus’ response was so strong that a strong message is sent to the disciples, the parents, the children and to all future generations! The children matter to God! I love the fact that verse 14 says that Jesus was indignant! This is one of the only times that emotions of such strength are attributed to Jesus. In most every other case where Jesus is seen with such intense feelings it is in the face of great religious hypocrisy or in regard to a major offense against the Father, such as when the buying and selling in the temple caused Jesus’ heart to burn with fire. These are rare displays of this intensity and here we see one of them directed towards the treatment of Children.
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them…” Jesus declares, removing any doubt as to His intention! “Do not hinder them…” How many times have we hindered others from coming to Jesus because we have set up a false religious standard? Jesus raises no barrier to stand in their way. He simply invites them to come and be blessed!
Jesus is a master of using every opportunity to train His disciples. He takes this misconception towards children and uses it to teach the kingdom of God! Kingdom, Kingdom, Kingdom… Jesus constantly brings His disciples back to the kingdom of God! Jesus not only welcomes the children to come to Him, He tells the disciples that we must become like them! The kingdom belongs to them! We cannot receive the kingdom of God without a faith and simplicity like that of a child! We cannot enter without embracing their example. This is the message that Jesus presents through this opportunity!
Many times people hear the words of Jesus and then spiritualize their meaning or twist the words to say something else. Jesus brings a profound closure to His emphasis on the value and heart of children in a delightful way by what He does at the end of His teaching. As if to place an exclamation point upon the things that He has just shared with His disciples Jesus takes the children in His arms and blesses them. He not only conveys acceptance and welcome, He conveys warmth! Oh that we would learn to see the Lord like that. He takes the weak into His arms without hesitance and blesses! He takes that child heart within each of us and He brings it close and defends it from the pain and unbelief of our generation. Jesus wants to protect the child inside of you! Let Him take you into His arms today!.
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