Do not hinder children

Mark 10:13-14 (NASB)

And they begin bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them.  But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” 

Jesus definitely has a very special place in His heart for children.  If you were fortunate to go to Sunday School as a child, you might recall all the stories you heard from the Bible about Jesus’ love for children.  Recall the story In Matthew 18:1-6.  The disciples asked Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus replied that children are the greatest.  His point was that children are humble and it takes humility to be part of the kingdom of heaven. 

Children represent Jesus Christ!  Jesus stated in Matthew 18:5 that “whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me”.  Children are humble in that they depend on others for their guidance, protection, even existence.  Perhaps the only time Jesus described Himself personally was in Matthew 11:29.  What did he say?  “…..for I am gentle and humble in heart…..”.  Humility describes Jesus, humility describes children, and humility must describe you if you are to consider yourself a member of God’s kingdom (Matthew 18:3). 

Jesus showed righteous anger (indignation) when He saw children mistreated.  Again, in Matthew 18:6, He stated that “whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea”.  It is an extremely serious offense to do harm to children.  Doing harm to children is not only physical harm, but in doing anything that causes children to stumble in their faith in the Lord.

I believe, although realize others might disagree, that these verses and those in Matthew 18:1-6 give great comfort to parents who have lost infants or young children, that the souls of these children are with the Lord in heaven.  The kingdom of heaven belongs to all children, those who died too soon and those who have become young and old adults whose hearts are humble to accept and follow Jesus as Savior and Lord.

A healthy, dynamic church emphasizes children’s ministries.  You must do your part to enable children to grow in their faith and never do or say anything that causes children to stumble.  This certainly includes your own children.  What are you doing personally to help your child(ren) increase in their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ?