Let the Children Come to Me
Updated: Aug 22 In all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 19, Mark 10, & Luke 18), we read a tender story of Jesus who laid his hands on several children and blessed them. All three gospels describe the same event:
People in the crowd were bringing children to Jesus so that he might touch them and bless them
The disciples rebuked the people for this
But Jesus insisted, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them...”
Jesus then took the opportunity to teach everyone that the kingdom of God belongs to the children – and that anyone who wants to enter the kingdom of God must receive it like a child
Mark 10:16 ends the story by saying, “And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” (I can't think of another place in the Bible where Jesus blessed people like this.)
It is a touching story and is probably very familiar to you. If you grew up in the church, your Sunday School class or nursery might have had a sign, “Let the children come to me.” Or perhaps they had an illustration depicting this scene – usually, a smiling Jesus who is surrounded by happy children, some of whom are on his lap.
When we read this account, we can easily sympathize with Jesus when he corrected his disciples for rebuking the people. After all, who could even think of preventing children to be with Jesus?
What does the story tell us as parents? Is it possible for us to learn a lesson on how we treat our children?
For a moment, let's narrow our focus on this event. To set the scene, the gospel accounts tell us that Jesus was teaching the crowds before this event. And it would seem that the children who were being presented to Jesus were somewhat of an interruption to his lesson – this is clearly how the disciples felt. But the children being brought to him had a need: their need to be blessed by Jesus. But even as the children had a need, Jesus saw something more in them. He saw the children as receivers of the kingdom of God - and to be shining examples to adults.
As parents, what does this tell us when our children interrupt us with their needs?
Obviously, not every interruption from a child demands us to drop everything right then. But think for a moment when they do interrupt us - are we like Jesus, or are we like the disciples who were upset?
What are the hidden needs our children have at that moment? Are they bugging us about batteries for their game controller, or is there something more?
What if it’s not just about game-control batteries, and there is an underlying need they have?
Their interruption may seem minor to us in light of the important task we are accomplishing - but remember, they see things from their perspective. They usually have no clue that the light bill is past due, or that the mechanic called with a $700 estimate on the car.
Perhaps their true need is us. Perhaps they just need our attention, and their request for batteries is just an excuse for us to stop what we’re doing, and spend several minutes demonstrating our love for them.
Jesus’ Main Message
But for us to become better parents is only one application from this passage. I don’t believe Jesus was teaching his disciples to become better parents. I have often discovered that finding what’s best for my children often involves a change in myself.
Mark is the only gospel that records these words of Jesus:
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Mark 10:15).
Children were being brought to Jesus and he used this occasion to teach grown adults how to come to him.
Are we receivers of God’s kingdom and do we openly display our need for the Lord?
Do we seek the attention of Jesus as those children in the story?
Are we bold in our approach to Jesus and do we seek his touch?
How often do we look at our children and see the kingdom of God in them as Jesus does, and how often do we allow our children to teach us about expressing our need for him?
Our true need in life is really for him. My prayer is that you receive the kingdom of God like a child so that you may enter it.
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