Let me start by saying I love children! I love teaching them and watching their faces as they process the truths of God’s word. Their minds are so open and their hearts so tender. They have not lived in this world long enough to be hardened by sin. Their minds are wide open to the truths of the Bible. It is not uncommon for a young child who has been exposed to the gospel all their lives to accept Jesus as their Savior at a very young age. While we do not need to push a child to say a “repeat after me prayer, we must understand that when they ask a lot of questions about Jesus and his death on the cross, the Holy Spirit is at work in their hearts. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
In Matthew 19:13-15, we read of parents or guardians bringing their children to Jesus. He welcomes them, but His disciples rebuke those who brought them. We are not sure why the disciples did not think it was a good thing. It may have been because they felt Jesus’ time was too valuable to waste on little children. Maybe the disciples were operating from past experiences where Jewish children were taught the Torah as young children, but they did not become responsible for their own relationship with God until 12 or 13. Jesus changes this idea by welcoming little children to Himself.
Matthew 19:13-15 “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.”
Jesus was so moved by the love of the children and His desire to have them brought to Him, that in Mark’s account, “he was much displeased.” The word displeased means he was indignant. This means feeling or showing anger and annoyance because of unfair, unjust, or unworthy treatment. Some synonyms are outraged, furious, irate, or livid. I think we get the picture. Jesus was very upset at the disciples for wanting to send the children away. The disciples had been with Him about 3 years at this time. They had seen His compassion for those who could not help themselves. The gentle Shepherd always takes special care of His lambs.
Mark 10:14 “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
If it were not enough for Jesus to invite the children to His gentle arms and rebuke His disciples for wanting to send them away, He goes on in verse 15 to make a profound, unexpected analogy. He teaches them that they must come as children if they are to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We must be humble, free from prejudice and pride; they come to Jesus with trust and dependence on Him. They understand it is not something they have to earn, but it is a gift from God to them.
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.”
So what is our responsibility in bringing children to Jesus? First, we must never do anything that would hinder them from coming to Him. If we are not careful, our personal lives of busyness, a lack of interest, or the belief that they are too young to understand the gospel will hamper them from obeying the Holy Spirit. Second, we must pray for our children and pray that, when they come to an understanding of the simple gospel, they will invite Jesus to come into their hearts. The Holy Spirit can work in any heart at any age. That is God’s business, not ours.
So, what is our role in this lesson? Here are a few things to remember. They don’t need to understand everything perfectly to become a Christian. When first coming to Christ, no one understands it all at any age. Very simply put, all they need to understand is that they are a sinner. Explain to them that sin is anything that does not please God. Then they need to know the penalty for sin is death in Hell. I know what some of you are thinking, “Don’t talk to them about Hell, you will scare them into a decision.” If the truth is revealed completely, we all came to Jesus because we didn’t want to die and go to Hell. Then comes the belief. Ask them if they believe Jesus died for their sins so that they can be forgiven. Next, ask if they would like to pray, asking Jesus to forgive their sins and to come live in their hearts. If the answer is yes, pray with them.
While you may have doubts about giving your children false salvation, you do not need to keep them from praying until you think the time is right. If you do not feel they understand, pray with them that they will understand. Pray for them daily and continue to teach the truths of the word. God is the only one who can save, but it is up to us to take them to Him. Jesus insisted that the children be brought to Him. This is evidence that they are not beyond understanding and commitment. He elevates the role of children and the value of their desires when He includes in this passage that we must come to Him as a child. We must trust Him like a child and let the children come.
