This morning I was remembering a friend of ours and his wife who had nine children. When we first met them they had seven children. The two oldest were in preschool with Kaci, our youngest. Later we learned that they also attended the same church we did.
What a happy family! It was always a fun time at their house – kids everywhere. Laughter filled the air. Each time we went over, the twins took great pleasure in making Dave their living jungle gym. Dave would sit down on the couch to visit with Brian and one child would be crawling up his legs while the other one was crawling down over his shoulders.
To be honest, it was a bit distracting to adult conversation but the kids were having a ball. They knew they were loved and they were important because they were being treated with kindness, affection and were given priority over the other things that were happening.
Each time I read about Jesus taking time to pray for and bless the children I picture it very similar to the way it was for Dave with Luke & Lizzie. Total joy and focus.
Jesus’ disciples seem to have been a bit annoyed that these parents were wanting Jesus to take time for their children. In fact, the disciples scolded the parents for taking up Jesus valuable time.
“Some people brought their children to Jesus, so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and don’t try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom.” Matthew 19:13-14 CEV
“Some people brought their children to Jesus so that he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. 15 I promise you that you cannot get into God’s kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” 16 Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them.” Mark 10:13-16 CEV
This event of Jesus blessing the children is recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It made an impression on all three writers. Jesus used what his disciples thought was an interruption in his busy schedule to teach a valuable lesson.
Be child-like. Accept spiritual things as a child, in simple faith!
As adults we have a tendency to analyze, rationalize and criticize when we don’t understand what we see or experience. Children accept things by faith and aren’t bothered by the technicalities.
I find it interesting that just a short time earlier than this situation with the children, Jesus had used another child to teach his disciples about being humble and having a servant’s heart. Obviously, the disciples had forgotten what Jesus had said about children.
“After Jesus sat down and told the twelve disciples to gather around him, he said, “If you want the place of honor, you must become a slave and serve others!”
36 Then Jesus had a child stand near him. He put his arm around the child and said, 37 “When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me. And when you welcome me, you welcome the one who sent me.” Mark 9:35-37 CEV
Jesus had a compassion for all people – no one was of greater or lesser value in His estimation. He wanted his disciples to see that.
You know that I frequently use this verse in Hebrews when I talk about the Father and His desire to help us. I see this verse through the eyes of a child.
“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV
I have always imagined this verse like this. A small child comes running through the door calling “Daddy, Daddy. I need your help! My toy is broken; the neighbor kids are picking on me…Daddy help!” And it’s there, at the Father’s throne that I see myself standing in child-like faith saying “Daddy, I need your help” and He, my Father, has never turned me away.
God, the Father, is inviting us to be like a kid – take Him at His word, bring Him everything. He always has time for us!