East Baptist Church – Denison, TX

Bringing The Children To Jesus/The Wonder of a Child’s Faith

Mark 10:13-15

This last week we had one of, if not our biggest outreaches to the children of our community, VBS. I am so grateful to this church and the churches around us that a major part of their ministry is to reach the next generation of children for Christ.

Jesus is preaching and teaching the people and there comes through the throngs of the people some parents with their little children. They were wanting to bring the children to Jesus but before they could get the children to Jesus’ very presence, the disciples were watching and monitoring the crowd, and they hindered these parents from bringing the children to Jesus. (Let this be a very pointed lesson to all of us as we also come to worship the Christ, every soul is important.)

Let us read in the Words of God not only His response, but the picture of Him picking up the little one in His arms. Mark 10:13-15 (NASB77) ¹³ And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.“

Our Lord saw the apostles stop the parents and He rebuked them. The word rebuke in the Greek is a very strong word; He was greatly displeased. Our Lord Jesus was much displeased with the action of these apostles and He said unto them, “let the little children come unto me and don’t stop them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 

And in this we find the heart of Christ revealed. His enormous love takes in the whole scope of the human race. The ones that are defenseless and cannot speak for themselves. This includes the baby in the womb.  

They didn’t bring the people to baptize them. We don’t read that at all. Nor did they bring their children to the disciples. My friends, ministers can’t save you. The leaders in the church can’t save you. It is the touch of Jesus and our response that saves, it is Christ Alone. 

Then, they were not simply bringing their children to the things of this world, but to Him that could touch and hold them in His arms in this world and the one to come in forever, all the way to heaven.

The best thing in all eternity we can do for our kids is to bring them to Jesus. No matter where they go or what happens in their lives the gift of Jesus will outlive time itself. (Grandparents have a huge hand in this teaching.) 

But you say today preacher, Jesus isn’t here. Oh yes He is. The spirit world is more real than the physical world. And all because these physical bodies hide the spirit world, do not think the spirit world is not here. It is. And Christ is here and angels are in this very room, and the Spirit of God is here, and Jesus is here today to bless. Our Lord is here in the power of His Holy Spirit. Wherever two or three meet together in my name, I am in the midst.

We often think that some folks are more important to the Lord than others.  ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” When I read this, I think our Lord is speaking to first parents and then the church. 

 I looked it up and secular sources say that: Research shows children are most receptive to accepting Jesus Christ between ages 4 and 14. 63% of people make a decision during these years, with regular church attendance and family faith practices increasing the likelihood of coming to accept Christ. As Lord and Saviour.

¹³ And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; There is a big-time message for the church in the Words of Jesus today.