Let the Children Come to Me

 

Mark 10: 13-16

 

Let the Children Come to Me

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.   But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.   Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”   And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

I grew up in a time when a child was to be seen but not heard, and in our home when the card table was put in the living room and chairs were brought from the kitchen we children knew guest were coming and there was going to be some serious 42 playing taking place.  

I was the youngest and if I was not outside, saving the world from the bad guys, or shooting at the Indians and I always won, I wanted to be where the action was, and that was not with my older brother and sister who were doing wasteful things like read a book. 

I will never forget one night I was about five and in that our house was very small I was sitting on the floor near the game table, and being very quiet.  My dad in a very stern voice told me to get off the floor and go to my room.  That is the only time I can recall my dad being unfair to me in my life.  As a child, I wonder what I had done wrong, but back then you would never have asked.

When I read this account of the disciples they may have seen themselves as the gatekeeper to who got to see Jesus, are they believe that Jesus was too important to be blessing little children.  One thing they learn that day was Jesus is never too busy for anyone and especially a person that comes to him with the attitude of a child.  A child will take their broken toys to dad or mom asking them to fix the problem, and when we humble our self as a child and bring our broken life to Jesus He will restore it.

Do you have a good understanding of the word indignant; “feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.”  It is the only time in the Gospels where Jesus was indignant.

 

 

Our calling is the same as the disciples; go and tell what Jesus has done for you and how He wants to give life to you, in the full.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice