March 19, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:13-15
OBSERVATIONS
What were these people hoping for their children? Good luck, a charmed life, a promise of divine protection, an advantage over other children, a good position in the restored kingdom of Israel?
What did Jesus actually give them when He placed His hands on them? Was it an empty, though encouraging symbol, a reminder of God’s love, an actual impartation of spiritual blessing?
Another thing, could these children loose the blessing? Did they have any choice in the matter?
I do not know the details of how they were blessed, but I do believe that this blessing was real and spiritual, not just symbolic. God knows what He does with this kind of blessing, and also what these kids will do with it.
I do know that I do not want to be like the disciples, and keep the children away from Jesus.
If the parents believe enough to bring them, I say bring them on, let’s bless them!
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
People who resist infant baptism because the child is not able to choose the blessing of grace may not like to think that Jesus’ blessing here was real… don’t they need faith to receive it?
This is one reason why I also place my hands on children to bless them with baptism. I know all about the debates about whether babies ought to be baptized, but in the end I hear Jesus’ say, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.”
I am sure that theologians will debate the difference between this blessing of Jesus and the blessing of baptism (technical distinctions of grace), but I will pass by that debate, trusting that God knows how to apply and work out His grace better than I do.
So I bless them, and trust God to work out the details.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, especially here at BCF, please bring the little children to You/us, so that we can bless them!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
I think there is more in these verses than meets the eye. Jesus is praying for children, and people are bringing their children to Jesus to be prayed for. That is interesting, that children were drawn to Jesus, and parents of children thought it was useful to have them prayed for.
In regards to our faith we grow up, we grow cynical, we start big plans with elaborate and intricate details. What do children do? They play with each other. They use their imagination. But mostly they just hang out. They don’t have the worry, the problems that grownups have.
Children also have a simple faith. They believe what you tell them. The Bible tells us to train a child
while he is young, and when he is old he will not depart from it. It also warns not to lead a young person astray, lest a millstone be hung around your neck. Most people will come to faith while young, and the percentage decreased greatly when a person reaches adulthood.
Jesus blessed the children and prayed for them. I am not sure how this looked, but it must have been fun for him to hang out with some kids, instead of all the adult people in his world who were looking for something from him, or trying to trick him. Having some kids hang out without an agenda would have been great. After getting his disciples to lighten up a little with the shooing of the kids, Jesus was able to spend some time with the children.
I pray that I can become childlike in my faith, to have something that I am eager to share, and to be not afraid of the reaction of others. I pray that I can bless children and have a positive influence on them for the kingdom.
Observations:
People were attracted to Jesus. They followed Him everywhere. Seems like families followed Him because there were children there. The Story-telling man. The miracle Worker. The were expectant, excited, wondering, bubbling to hear and see the next happening. They had been impressed and they followed. And Christ did say, Follow Me.
Application:
As children are impressed readily so I must be to give my all to follow. Kids do this openly, willingly, without question and so must I. I must follow and be like small child and have total commitment to my Saviour for He has impressed me – left His mark on me and now I am His and He is mine. All for Jesus. We all are kids of the Kingdom.
Prayer:
Help me this day Lord to be like a child, giving my all in total trust to You. Place Your hands also upon me as I go forward this day in Your name.
All for Jesus, all for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed powers:
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
Refrain
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours;
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways;
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise.
Refrain
Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
Cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
Only Jesus will I trust.
Refrain
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.
Refrain
Oh, what wonder! how amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of kings,
Deigns to call me His belovèd,
Lets me rest beneath His wings.