“Now people were even bringing their babies to him for him to touch. But when the disciples saw it, they began to scold those who brought them. But Jesus called for the children, saying, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’” —Luke 18:15–17
I love the receptivity of Jesus—none are too young to be brought to the lap of our Savior! When I read this passage, I am reminded of the words of Moses:
“Of Benjamin he said: ‘The beloved of the LORD will live safely by him; he protects him all the time, and the Lord places him on his chest.’” —Deuteronomy 33:12
One gracious touch from Jesus will make us joyful and whole as He graciously opens His arms and bids us to come and rest between His shoulders. I am reminded of the apostles after Jesus’ death. Filled with the Holy Spirit, people were clamoring to be even in their shadows …how much more so the lap of our Lord Jesus! When we seek the Master, we find security and comfort.
“Now many miraculous signs and wonders came about among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they were all meeting together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high honor. More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number, crowds of both men and women. Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets, and put them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on some of them. A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits. They were all being healed.” —Acts 5:12–16
It is no strange thing to meet with discouragement and hindrance. However, when we seek the Master, we find security and comfort. In our verses for today, the disciples were rebuking those who were bringing their babies to Jesus. Interestingly, many of those Jesus interacted with were shunned by the disciples. He wanted his disciples to understand that the little children were as welcome as anybody. How precious of Him to be so encouraging to those bringing these young ones. I think his behavior serves as a mandate for us as parents to disciple and bring up our children in the way of the Lord.
In Proverbs we read:
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” —Proverbs 22:6
“Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” —Proverbs 16:3
The word “train” used in Proverbs 22 is the Hebrew word hanak meaning “to teach, dedicate, consecrate, and inaugurate” (Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible Old Testament Lexical Aids). It is used only five times in the Old Testament. The four other times refer to dedicating something to God. The point is very clear; we are to be dedicating our children to the Lord. I do not mean just in a church dedication service, but in a day-by-day dedication to training them in the way of the Lord. We do such a great job in training them in all sorts of extracurricular activities yet often drop the ball regarding their training in way of the Lord. We are to commit the raising of our children to the Lord so that our plans will succeed.
The word “succeed” in Proverbs 16 means “to be firm, be established, be steadfast, be faithful, be sure, be reliable, be fixed, be certain; to be ready, be prepared; to be determined; signifies the deep satisfaction and sense of well-being which comes from the certainty that one’s heart steadfastly trusts in the Lord, who directs man’s paths” (Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible Old Testament Lexical Aids). I certainly want that said of my children and grandchildren! This is something that is in line with God’s will and that we should certainly put forth our efforts both in prayer and in work to attain. It will not just happen—raising children in the way of the Lord requires a disciplined process, an intentional plan of teaching God’s way through living. Our life experiences are great classrooms for passing on God’s truth through our application of it. One gracious touch from Jesus will make us joyful and whole.
Jesus tells us that each one of us must receive the kingdom of God as a little child if we desire entrance into it. What does that look like? It is faith that totally trusts in God and His love for us, even though we may see only dimly the movement of His hand. It is approaching God with humility and sincerity; with expectation and excitement.
Become More
Each one of us must come to Jesus as a child, realizing that we are not sufficient in and of ourselves, but are totally dependent upon the One who loves us and gave himself up for us.
Further Reflections
“God’s kingdom is not gained by human achievement or merit; it must be received as God’s gift through simple trust by those who acknowledge their inability to gain it any other way.” —Bible Knowledge Commentary