One of my favorite interactions that Jesus had with anyone was one particular time he had to deal with his disciples, and the action they took regarding the little children.
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. – Mark 10:13–16
The people had seen, or heard of, the miracle working power which could come from a simple touch from the hand of Jesus. Though we don’t know the specific reasons these parents had for desiring that Jesus touch their children, I think we can think of some.
- Children are difficult. If you have ever experienced children, you know that they come untrained. They are naturally selfish, and hurtful. They have to be trained in every way, from going to the bathroom to manners when dealing with people. They need to be trained to realize that it doesn’t matter whether you have a pink cup, or a blue cup.
- Children, without direction, will harm someone, including themselves. For instance, try placing a child next to a busy street without any direction, or training!
- Children are brutally honest. They will let you know what they want. They’ll rudely comment about others. They have no patience whatsoever. They want what they want NOW, and they’ll verbally let you know.
- These are just a few attributes of children.
The disciples acted like typical adults often do. They thought that kids being kids was rude, and disrespectful to the Lord, as well as others in attendance.
Jesus’ reaction to the reaction of the disciples was one of displeasure. As a matter of fact, he was “much displeased” by their actions – not any of the actions of the children. What an example Jesus was to us today!
He was much displeased, and reacted by telling the disciples to let the children come unto Him! Do not forbid them to come!
Why?
“For as such is the kingdom of God.” You see, there is one thing which little children have that many adults seem to have forgotten about – FAITH!
I’m a father of six wonderful, grown children. All six still trust me to this day, even though I can no longer hold them in my arms like I could when they were young (I’d like to, but it’s now physically impossible to do so).
Little children are very trusting of their parents (unless the parents become untrustworthy – many others have written about our broken society, and the broken families within society.
In our adulthood we have become jaded. We have forgotten that in God’s eyes we are like a little child.
We rely on Him to save us.
We rely on Him to sanctify us.
We rely on Him to glorify us.
We rely on Him to keep us saved, and sanctified, and glorified!
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. – Ephesians 1:13-14
As adults we need to remember that we actually have the same attributes as little children. (See above list)
The moral of this story is this: When you hear, or see, a young child acting up, think of yourself. We are the same, but we have matured in the way we handle things, yet our very thoughts are hidden away from others.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. – Mark 10:15
All it takes is simple childlike faith in order to receive, and sustain a relationship with the Lord!
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. – Mark 10:16.
Just as Jesus, not only simply touched the little children, but took them up into his arms, He takes us up, loves us, provides for us, and protects us. If you are relying on anything you have to satisfy the Lord, you are just like those disciples forbidding the little ones to “come to Jesus.”
Receive Him, with childlike faith, today!
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Bob Picard, Pastor, God’s Grace Bible Church, Millbury, Massachusetts
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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