Matt 19:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
I. Those That Brought The Children
A. The Children Were Not Left To Themselves
1. The children were brought to Jesus.
2. Luke says they were infants.
3. So many parents leave spiritual matters to the children, and don’t get involved.
4. They don’t want to “shove religion down their throats”.
5. If it makes sense to teach a child about morals, economics, personal hygiene, health issues…
6. Should not children be exposed to truth about God?
B. Probably Parents, Guardians, Tutors
1. They had faith in Christ
2. They had respect for Christ
3. They desired Jesus’ blessings for their children
4. They believed that their children would be better off in life for having been blessed by Jesus
5. Some parents sought Jesus only when their children were sick or possessed. Not a bad thing.
6. These parents sought simply the blessing of Jesus. A higher goal, with less desperation. These parents sought a spiritual life for their children, not just an emergency cure.
C. Jesus Laid His Hands On Them
1. Ancient manner of conferring a blessing
2. Speaks of love, familiarity, closeness.
3. Also speaks of power and authority.
D. Children are capable of receiving a blessing from Jesus!
1. The blessings of Jesus are not only for adults.
2. Don’t wait until they are older to bring your children to Jesus.
3. Let them be blessed when they are young
II. Those That Oppose Jesus And Children
A. The Disciples
1. Opposed the bringing of the children. Why?
a. Jesus too busy; energy should be spent on more important matters.
b. If Jesus blesses these children, everyone will want the blessings, and more important ministry will be hindered.
c. Children insignificant.
2. They showed that they were actually acting against the mind of Christ.
3. Mark 10:14 “…He was greatly displeased…”
B. The World Today
1. Discourages training about God and Christ.
2. Offers ungodly spiritual and psychological replacements.
3. Says that children should just find their own way through life.
4. Christian parents are often blamed and accused of forcing Christianity upon their children.
5. NOTE- There are abuses in the Christian church, but that doesn’t justify not teaching our children about Jesus.
6. Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
C. We As Parents
1. Are we doing or saying things that “prevent” our children from coming to Jesus?
2. Do we portray Jesus in an unbiblical way?
3. Do we portray bitterness of mistrust of the church or God’s people, and thus keep our children away from Jesus in the corporate sense, and by default, teach our children to love Jesus, but watch out for His people?
4. Do we think it not important for our children to come to Jesus?
5. Do we leave the responsibility of “taking the children to Jesus” to others, i.e. Sunday school teachers, youth leaders in church, etc.?
6. Jesus said, “Do not forbid them”.
7. Keeping our kids from Jesus can happen even through discouragement or neglect or of own spiritual duties.