The Judean grassy hills were filled with people of all ages desiring to hear and be touched by Jesus whether physically, intellectually or spiritually. He taught for long hours in the hot sun with a slight breeze coming off of the Jordan River. Every so often, he would break, so people could stretch, mingle, and discuss what they have been hearing. It was also time to celebrate and marvel over the healings that caused people to rub their eyes in disbelief.
My father hustled me over to the teacher with my siblings, as did so many other parents. He wanted me to learn from Jesus and to receive a blessing from him. It was during these breaks that we got to enjoy Jesus. His laughter rang out as he loved to ask us questions and listened intently for the answers even from my younger two year old sister. My favorite thing was how he would share a bird, butterfly or little lizard that landed or crawled upon his hand. The creature would just sit completely trusting all of us as we put our fingers out to hold it as well. It too looked happy. We all loved to sit next to him and hear the stories he had for us.
Adults around us tried to tell us to leave the master and allow him to rest. Plus, they wanted Jesus to speak on serious matters, and a bunch of irritated people started to drag us each away from the teacher's sight. Other Fathers quickly pleaded for Jesus to lay a blessing on their child. An eruption of cries came from the kids being dragged across the ground. When Jesus saw what was occurring, he quickly charged the men to stop.
Then he spoke loudly, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not
receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Then Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on their heads and blessed each of them. I felt his soft touch on my head as he softly spoke for the Spirit of God to fill me and guide me all the days of my life. "I didn't know what it meant, but I know from that day forth God became my most dearest friend and confidant. I was forever touched."
Liz Lemon Swindle's painting is above, 'Let the Little Children Come,' copyrighted by the artist. Permission requested.
Questions For Reflection:
How well do you trust God with the "what next" in your life? Do you act like a child who knows that his/her parent will work the "next events" if you break a leg (illness), swallow a pill that was thought to be candy (a bad relationship) or lose a toy (loss of something of value)...do you go to God or try to figure out your own plan?
How well do you think you cover your thoughts, emotions and the things you do each day in prayer? Do you think it is important to ask the Holy Spirit to fill your life with His presence and guidance? Why?
Further Thoughts:
The famous German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who pastored a church in the 1940"s said this: "The words why, when, where, and how are all words of the faithless. The only words spoken by a man or woman of faith is "who." This "Who" will lead you to Him."
Dietrich died in a concentration camp by being hung by the Gestapo. Before he died, he caused a revival in the camp. He was constantly looking to God for his peace. He was reported as constantly smiling, constantly praying, constantly loving. It wasn't his words, it was his deeds that spread the Gospel and love for God. His pure faith of not asking "why" but going to the one "Who" could carry him through the tough day.
In this passage of scripture Jesus is asking people to have faith like children. Children don't worry about where their clothes, shoes and lunch will come from- they just go to their parents. They have complete trust that God will provide. If they fall and hurt themselves or have any issue, they run to their parents for love, guidance and protection. We must have total confidence to go to God first. It is a natural tendency to have a plan and an explanation to how it can work out. We must believe with complete childlike faith that "With God, all things are possible" Matthew 19:26.
The question may come up, "How do I increase my faith?" Once again, we just go to the scripture for that answer. In Romans 10:17 it states, "faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God."
When healing a blind man Jesus said, "According to your faith let it be to you" Matthew 9:29
This would indicate that the measure that you trust in God will help control the outcome over our issues. We sometimes doubt that God will come to our rescue and desires to help us. We don't doubt his existence, but we question His good will for us. A child may perceive his parent putting them to bed earlier than they desire as "mean" or getting a shot or drawing their blood at the doctors as "torture", but the parent has more understanding and is doing a loving behavior the whole time. God saying "no" to a relationship or a job or a raise may make us feel forsaken, but we need to trust that our Heavenly Father is truly looking out for us. That abandoned control will free a person up to enjoy their day as they were meant too.
Interestingly, the word "they" in verse 13 of this scripture is in masculine Greek. This would mean it was the fathers who were bringing the children to Jesus. This is applicable to us today, as the head of the home, the father and the mother too should bring their children daily to God in prayer for a blessing and covering. Another important part of parenting is bringing our kids to Jesus through devotions, so they too can be touched by who He is.
Lastly, we see Jesus touching the children's heads as he blessed them. Jesus covered their heads where their thoughts and emotions are developed. We too need to cover our loved one's head with our prayers; we watch and learn from the One who knows how to touch our lives and make a lasting change.
Read the account as it is recorded in the Bible:
https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A13-16&version=NKJV