‘…Let the little children come to Me…’ Mark 10:14 NKJV
Mark records, ‘They brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me."…And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.’ (vv 13-16 NKJV) Notice three things. First, Jesus was never too busy for a child. By the time a child is five they’ve learned 75 per cent of everything they’ll know in life. And by the time they’re 18 their mind is set like a mould. Even if you don’t have any children of your own, endeavour to be a role model to every child who crosses your path. Lift them. Jesus did! Secondly, Jesus admired children for their capacity to trust. We adults know so much, but believe so little. We complicate faith. We filter it through our intellect or our life’s experiences. We rationalise our faith away by saying things like, ‘Yes, I know God promised that, but…’ Jesus said, ‘Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ (Mark 10:15 NKJV) Finally, Jesus loved and encouraged children. ‘He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.’ Wow! Those children would never forget that experience. Imagine looking back to a moment in your life when the Lord picked you up, held you in His arms, laid His hands on you and blessed you. What a legacy! In this busy world, if you’re serious about becoming more like Jesus you must learn to love children.
SoulFood: 1 Kings 18:16-20:43, Mark 9:38-50, Ps 113, Pr 12:15-17
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2011
