Bring the Children

Scripture:

Luke 18:15   People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. ¹⁶ But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

Observation:

Luke’s gospel rejoins Mark’s at this location. Both of them recall the people bringing children to Jesus. Considering the high infant mortality rate, this would be significant. The people may have been mothers, fathers, or even siblings, all with a concern for the little children. Since Jesus had been healing others, surely his touch would be a blessing upon the life of a little person who has not yet reached adulthood. 

The children could not get to Jesus on their own — they had to be taken. The faith of the “people” must have been great, believing that a touch from Jesus would have a significant impact on the lives of the children. The innocence of the children is important here, for Jesus believed that the kingdom of God belonged to them. Children were not held in great regard in society, and yet, Jesus said that they would have the kingdom. 

The tables are now turned and Jesus tells those who are listening that they must receive the kingdom just as a little child. With innocence and child-like faith, we are to receive the kingdom of God. 

Application:

During the years of Communist rule in Russia, little children were not supposed to be taken to church. If parents tried to influence their children for Christ before the age of 16, the children were encouraged to report their parents to authorities, where they would be rewarded for loyalty to the party. Somehow, the party seemed to believe that little children coming to the Lord would be a problem for them. Maybe they understood something about innocent and child-like faith. The reality is that those who chose to served the Lord, even during the difficulties of the Communist era, found ways to teach their children about Christ — specifically by the ways in which they lived every single day. The altar in the home became fertile soil for training up children in their faith. 

There are many aspects to this passage of scripture, but the first thing we notice is that “people” brought the children to Jesus. Little children can’t simply make these decisions on their own and there are those who need to bring children to the church and to Jesus. If parents want their children to grow up knowing Christ, they need to intentionally make Christ a priority in their family. For far too many children the hours in a week in which they are exposed to what Christ has to offer, as opposed to what the world has to offer, have been significantly diminishing. When I was growing up I went to Sunday school, morning worship, evening worship — and then out with the youth group. We went back on Wednesday night for quizzing or Bible study, and then we did something together on Friday night. Post-pandemic, this is being replaced with a possible visit to a worship service on Sunday morning. That is, if the children don’t have to play sports or some other extra-curricular activity on Sunday. The potential impact of Christianity on the life of a child has been greatly reduced. 

It is the responsibility of “people” to bring little children to Christ. This may include family members — parents and/or grandparents, who are committed to bringing the little ones up to know Jesus. This includes bringing them to church, but also, living out the faith in front of them on a daily basis. We are to pray with them — teaching them to pray. We are to read the Bible to them. We are to love them the way that Christ loves us. 

Some of us have the opportunity to impact the life of a little person who lives in our community. A parent may be happy to allow their child to attend church with you on a Sunday morning — but have you asked? History is filled with stories of committed “people” who saw needy children in their community and regularly took them with them to church and Sunday school. 

Followers of Christ, it is our responsibility to bring the little ones to Jesus. They can’t get to him on their own, and if we wait until they’re 16, the world will have already shaped and formed them into the world’s image. The kingdom of God is for these little ones and we are to participate in the mission to help them become disciples. You and I must commit to bring the children!

Prayer:

Lord, please help me to pour my life into these little grandchildren, and others that you may place in my path. Amen.