DON'T HINDER THE CHILDREN
(Mark 10:13-14) Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. (NKJV)
(Mark 10:15-16) "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them. (NKJV)
Introduction: Last Sunday, we looked at Jesus' teaching on the matter of marriage and divorce. As soon as that discussion is finished, Jesus turns His attention to some little children that are being brought to Him by their parents.
It was a Jewish tradition to bring small children to a great rabbi so that he could bless them and pray for them. It was also common for parents to take their children to the synagogue, where each of the elders would take the child in his hands and pray for the life of the child. This is much the same thing that we still do today when we dedicate a child and parents to the Lord.
These parents are rebuked by the Lord's disciples. Apparently, they felt that the Master's time was too valuable to spend on small children. Jesus, in turn, rebuked them for their attitude regarding these children. He told the disciples in no uncertain terms that little children were what the kingdom of Heaven was all about.
It is appropriate that Jesus should give us this teaching about little children just after He spoke about the marriage relationship. The statement "and they two shall be one flesh" (Matt. 19:15) is literally fulfilled when a married couple come together and God wills that a child be conceived and be born.
Now, we all know that children can be noisy in church; they have to be taught to behave; they require a lot of special attention and special programs. But I gladly proclaim that our children are a great asset to our church and the kingdom of God. Children are a blessing to be enjoyed. (Psalms 127:3) Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. (NKJV)
Our text for today has something to say about children, and by extension, about the Savior's kingdom. Let's walk through these important and observe some lessons about parents, children and the Lord Jesus Christ.
So the subject for today is Don't Hinder the Children. I want to show you the lessons we find in these verses. There is a Lesson about Service; A Lesson about Salvation; and A Lesson about the Savior. I want us to understand that Jesus has a special place in His heart and in His plans for the children.
I. A LESSON ABOUT SERVICE
This passage clearly reveals certain responsibilities that both the parent and the church have toward our children. Fulfilling these responsibilities is a form of service to our children. Let me show you some ways we serve our children.
A. We Serve Our Children By Evangelizing Them
– This passage nowhere implies that Jesus was saving these children. He was praying for them and pronouncing a blessing on their young lives. This scene teaches us that these parents cared enough about the spiritual condition of their children to bring them to Jesus so that they might be blessed through His praying and His touch.
From the earliest passages of the Bible believers have been challenged to share the things of God with their children, Deut. 6:1-8. The New Testament renews that challenge to parents, Eph. 6:4.
Parents should do everything in their power to ensure that their children are exposed to the Gospel. That means bringing them to church on a consistent basis. It means giving them the opportunity to be in Sunday School, Children's Church, Vacation Bible School and special events.
This year at our campground in High Point there will be the 1st Annual NC Children's Conference, April 20-22. Ages are from K-5th Grade. So if you have a child in that age group plan for them to go. The registration fee now through January 2 is $15. After that is $25 and walk-ins are $30. Registration covers cost of conference, 3 meals and lodging at the campground on a first come basis. More information is on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall.
Parents should pray for their children and with them and share the Bible with them at home. Parents should be open about your own faith and be consistent in your own life as a believer. Parents should be an example to their children by their teaching and example that nothing in this world is more important than the Lord and His business.
I appreciate our nursery workers, Sunday school teachers, Children church workers, Vacation Bible School workers, in short all those who work with our children. They are sharing the gospel message with the children of our church. I appreciate Sister Glenda Carver and Bro. Harry Johnston for attending the training in our Thrive Tour, November 19. There is a training conference, "Prepare to Lead" that will be taking place at the campground January 20-21 and I am encouraging all those who work with our children to attend.
As a church we want to do everything we can to work with you that are parents to help you evangelize and train your children. We know you as parents have the primary responsibility but we, as a church dare not neglect our responsibility of helping you. According to one Gallup Survey nineteen out of twenty people who became Christians did so before the age of twenty-five.
B.We Serve Our Children By Educating Them – By bringing their children to Jesus, these parents were telling their children that they saw something special in Him. Like those ancient parents, believers in our day have the responsibility of modeling our faith in Jesus so that the younger generation can see that He is worth knowing. If my faith does not change my life and cause me to be a better person, my children will pick up on that. I can talk about my faith, but if I do not live out my faith, it translates into hypocrisy in the eyes of my children. They are very quick to spot a phony!
We are responsible for educating our children about the things of God. (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. (NKJV)
It is not the public school teacher's responsibility to see that our children come to Jesus. It is our duty to bring them face to face with a saving Lord. If we make much of Jesus in front of them, they will be far more likely to come to Him at an early age and remain faithful to Him as they mature.
C. We Serve Our Children By Encouraging Them – When these parents came to Jesus with their children they were encouraging them to approach Him as well. Paul in Ephesians 6:4 uses the word admonition.
We ought to encourage our children to seek the things of God. Teach them to pray at an early age. Make the Bible a big part of their daily life. Pray with them. Bring them to Sunday School and Children's Church. Involve them in church activities like the youth group and VBS; expose them to everything of a godly nature that is available.
One of the best things a believer can do for children is for them to be in love with Jesus Christ. When mature adults love Jesus with a sincere devotion, it encourages children to love Him too!
There is no greater blessing than for a child to be saved and for them to live their whole lives for Jesus. I was saved as a young boy. I joined the church when I was 10 years old. The training I received from my parents and from my local church children's and youth workers help keep me on the right road and save me from a lot of heartache and pain.
D. L. Moody once returned from a meeting and reported two and a half conversions. "Two adults and a child, I suppose?" asked his host; "No," said Moody, "two children and an adult. The children gave their whole lives. The adult had only half of his left to give."
II. A LESSON ABOUT SALVATION
While this text certainly highlights every adult's responsibility to serve our children by helping them form a spiritual foundation, it also speaks about the matter of salvation.
A. What It Implies – The fact that children are invited to come to the Savior implies that children need a Savior. Now, most folks don't like to hear this, but children are sinners too, Psa. 58:3; Psa. 51:5; Job 15:14; Pro. 22:15; Isa. 48:8; Eph. 2:3. While children may possess a kind of innocence, they still stand in need of salvation.
That is why parents and other concerned adults must do all they can to bring children face to face with the claims of the Gospel. It is not our duty to save them, but it is our duty to expose them to the Word of God. When children hear the Gospel preached, taught and lived out, they are far more likely to come to Jesus at an early age, Rom. 10:17.
Here is what Paul told Timothy about exposing children to the Word of God, (2 Timothy 3:15) and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
B. What It Involves – Whenever a discussion about childhood salvation comes up, someone always mentions "the age of accountability". It surprises some people when they find out that the Bible does not mention a specific "age of accountability". A child becomes accountable for his or her sins when they come to place where they can understand the difference between right and wrong and when they are able to choose between right and wrong, Isa. 7:16.
So, when is that age? Well, it is different for every child. Some as young children come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For others the age of accountability comes later. Some people, such as those with severe mental handicaps, may never come to that place.
Parents, just because your children are young, do not assume that they do not need to be saved. Children grow up quick these days and they need to know about Jesus Christ. Tell them about Jesus from the day they are born and watch God save them at an early age!
Now, when children come to you talking about salvation, you should never put them off. Take the time to ask them some pointed questions like:
- What does it mean to be saved?
- Why do you feel that you need to be saved?
- Can you explain to me how a person gets saved?
- Can you explain to me what sin is?
There are many other questions, but you get the idea. If they do not understand, keep praying for them and talking to them about Jesus. They will come back when they are ready.
Note: What about children who die before they reach the "age of decision"? What happens to them? I think the Bible holds that answer for us. When David lost an infant son in 2 Sam. 12, he was convinced that his son had gone to be with the Lord, 2 Sam. 12:23. Children and others who cannot choose for themselves are "safe" in Jesus Christ. Ill. Rom. 5:17-21. The saving power of the atoning work of Jesus is applied to them. When they die in that "safe" condition, they are regenerated and taken to Heaven! Parents who have lost children to death, miscarriage, or still birth should never fear because their little ones are in Heaven with the Lord Jesus today.
Is it possible that the high infant mortality rates in many countries today is actually the grace of God at work? Is it possible that He is taking the little children home to Heaven while they are still in an innocent state? If they reached maturity in a pagan culture they might never hear about Jesus. While abortion is a horrible crime against humanity, God's grace is also in view here. Every one of those innocent, aborted babies goes to be with Jesus. We will meet them one day! What a gracious Savior we serve!
C. What It Illustrates – This whole matter of children coming to Jesus was used by our Lord to illustrate the way all believers must come to Him. In our text in Mark, Jesus says that all who come to Him must come as a little child. He is referring to a few of the special characteristics that separate children from adults.
Children are trusting, humble and dependent. They are so trusting, that they have to be warned not to talk to strangers. They are so dependent, that they simply rest in the ability and willingness of those around them to meet their needs. They don't worry over food, clothing or shelter. They don't worry about who will pay the bills. Children don't doubt that their family members love them. Children simply accept profound things by faith. They don't look beyond the obvious. They just believe!
Those are the requirements for a person to come to Jesus. For a person to be saved, regardless of their age, they must be willing to humble themselves before God. They must be willing to lay down their pride over the life they have lived and the achievements of that life. They must humble themselves by acknowledging their sins before God. They must be willing to admit that their works and religious activity can never save them. They must come to the place where they, like a little child, simply look to Jesus in pure faith, trusting that He will do everything He has promised to do.
Contrast this image childlike faith with the very next passage. When the Rich Young Ruler came to Jesus in Mark 10:17-22, he refused to turn loose of his pride, his money or his self-righteousness. He left with all his possessions, but he left without Jesus!
A person must look to Jesus by faith, trusting Him and His finished work on the cross completely for their soul's salvation. This requires the childlike qualities of trust, humility and dependence. This is the only way anyone ever receives salvation.
III. A LESSON ABOUT THE SAVIOR
This passage not only speaks about Service and Salvation, it also has something to say about the Savior. Watching Jesus minister to these children, we get a glimpse of aspects of our Lord's personality.
A. v. 13 We Can See The Savior's Heart – The disciples thought Jesus was too busy to receive children. When the Bible says, "brought little children to Him", it has the idea of a long line of children being brought to Jesus. Parents from all over the area had brought their children to Jesus so that He could pray for them and pronounce a blessing over them. When the disciples rebuked the parents Jesus was "greatly displeased". This means that Jesus was angry with the disciples for trying to prevent children from coming to Him. Children hold a special place in our Lord's heart! In fact, Mark 9:42 reminds us that harsh judgment awaits those who abuse little children. Jesus always defends the defenseless!
In Roman society children were often treated with contempt and viewed as property. A papyrus letter written by a man named Hilarion to his expectant wife, Alis, dated June 17, 1 b.c., instructs her: "if it was a male child let it [live]; if it was female, cast it out."
In ancient Rome, fathers held absolute power over their children. This power was called "Patria Potestas". A father could condemn a child to die simply by commanding it be done. A case where this happened was recorded as late as 60 A.D. This practice was finally outlawed in 375 A.D.
What Jesus does here is elevate children to a place of importance. He also reveals that children hold a special place in His heart. This scene reveals a lot about Jesus. Children cannot serve Him like those who are older. They cannot contribute as much money as those who are older. Still, He loves them and reaches out to them in grace.
This just reminds us that God is not just interested in what we can do, what we can give or how old we are. He simply invited people to come to Him on the basis of pure grace! Jesus loves lost sinners and He invites them all to come to Him, Rev. 22:17, Matt. 11:28; John 3:16.
B. v. 15 We Can See The Savior's Hands – This verse says "and He put His hands on them". This indicates that He took the time to bless each individual child that came before Him. No matter how young they were or how insignificant they appeared, Jesus cared about them and took time for them.
Never think for an instant that Jesus doesn't care about you. He loves you and He will not turn you away if you will come to Him. No matter where the path of life has taken you; no matter what you may have done; no matter how insignificant you may feel; Jesus Christ will save you and change your life if you will come to Him. He cares about your condition and He will take the time to touch your life if you will only come to Him by faith.
Conclusion: Regardless of whether you are saved or lost, young or old, Jesus cares about you. If you have never been saved, regardless of your age, you need to come to Jesus today. He died on the cross to save you if you are lost.
If your life has gotten complicated by living in an adult world and you need some help from God today, you can get it.
If sin has crept into your relationship with Jesus and is hindering your walk with Him, He can forgive that today.
If you will come to Him, you will find that His grace will be sufficient for you.
If there are needs in your life, you can come to Him like those little children did two thousand years ago and you can find the help you need!
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