LIFE OF
CHRIST
Mark 10:13-16
LET THE CHILDREN
COME
LIFE OF
CHRIST #41
We continue the study of the Life of
Christ. At this point, Jesus is on His
last preaching tour before He goes to
Last week we saw Jesus heal 10 lepers.
Only one of the 10 was truly grateful
This week relatives are seen trying to
bring very young children to Jesus. They
are stopped by Jesus’ disciples.
Jesus was displeased. Let’s examine this passage, because it is
very important for us to see the treatment of children that Jesus
requires. In essence, Jesus says, “LET
THE CHILDREN COME”.
Evidently just before this incident
there had been a discussion of marriage.
Jesus was very clear about the sanctity of marriage in Mark 10:10-12.
If marriage is so important, and it is,
the fruit of that marriage, the children, are also important.
Psalm 127:3
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
Parents were lining up to bring their
children to Jesus.
It was custom in Hebrew culture for
children to be blessed.
And what better person to bless the
children than the Messiah, the Son of God!
The age of the children evidently ranged
from infants to pre-teens. This is a good reminder for us to bring the children
to Jesus.
Children should be brought to the Lord
for salvation at a very early age. It
should be the desire of every Christian parent and grandparent that their
children and grandchildren come to Christ for salvation as early as possible.
There was, for those wanting to bring
their children to Jesus, a blocked door.
If Jesus was still in the house as it states in verse 10, it was
literally a blocked door. If He wasn’t
in the house, it was figuratively a blocked door.
The door was blocked by the disciples!
They actually rebuked those who were
bringing the children to Jesus!
I’m sure the disciples meant well.
·
Perhaps
they thought that Jesus needed to rest. After all He was so busy teaching and
performing miracles.
·
Perhaps
they thought blessing the children was an unimportant task.
·
Perhaps
they didn’t think that children were very important it all.
Let’s make sure that we don’t make the
same mistake of hindering the children from coming to Jesus in church.
A BOTHERED MASTER – Vs. 14a
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased,
The word displeased means indignant.
Jesus was angry with the disciples
because they hindered the children from coming.
Do you think Jesus is displeased with
the church in general today?
I think He is. If we are not doing what
we can to bring children to Jesus, we are hindering them from coming!
Children are to be brought. We are not
to wait for them to get the idea to come to Jesus.
Some parents have decided to leave a child’s choice of
religious belief up to the child without giving him or her any guidance. These same parents will give guidance in
personal hygiene, diet, manners, and will insist that the child attend school,
study, and strive for good grades. They
will also encourage participation in sports or play so the child will be
physically fit. If we give guidance in
these important areas, shouldn’t we also take our children for training in
Sunday School or whatever training for children that our church provides? If we want to develop well-rounded children,
their religious guidance must not be neglected.
They are only children. They don’t know
what’s best for them. We shouldn’t let
children make up their minds about whether they need or want to come. We are to
bring them so they can hear the precious Gospel.
A BOLD COMMAND – Vs. 14b
Suffer
the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the
“Permit the children to come to me, and
don’t hinder them!”
In a day when children can be
physically, sexually, and emotionally abused, abandoned, ignored, and
forgotten, we must remember the one we call “Lord” loves all the children in
the world.
If Jesus loves the children we, who are
His followers, should also love the children.
This verse also reminds us that children
can be saved at an early age. Children
can come to Jesus for salvation when very young. Every one of our children trusted Christ as
their Savior before they were 5 years old.
Polls show people are most likely to be
saved when they are young!
Suffer
the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the
Every child born into this world is born
helpless.
Every child born into this world is
dependent on others for food, clothing, protection and education.
Every Christian is born helpless.
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ezekiel 18:4 - …the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Just as children depend on others to
survive, so Christians need Christ to survive.
Helpless dependence is what the
The children are to be welcomed into the
A BASIC DOCTRINE – Vs. 15
Mark 10:15 - Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
The basic teaching is this: You can not
enter the
A child who knows he’s helpless depends
on others.
A Christian who knows he’s helpless
depends on Christ. Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 2:8-9
You can not enter the
If you truly turn to Christ alone in
hopeless dependence, you will be saved and your life will change.
Titus 3:5-8
A BLESSING SAVIOR – Vs. 16
After the Lord’s rebuke of the
disciples, he warmly received the children.
He didn’t casually bless them, the verb means that he “fervently
blessed” them.
The children were naturally attracted to
Jesus.
He made them feel welcome in His arms.
He was their friend.
Let us fervently bless the children in
our area.
Let us make them feel welcome in this
church.
Let us reach out to them in love.
Just as God makes us feel comfortable in
His presence through the Lord Jesus, let us make children and those that have
the humble faith of children feel welcome here.
Jesus blessed the children. Let us do the same.
Let the children come!
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
A BOTHERED MASTER – Vs. 14a
A BOLD COMMAND – Vs. 14b
A BASIC DOCTRINE – Vs. 15
A BLESSING SAVIOR – Vs. 16
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