The best gift you can give your child
If you’ve ever struggled to picture God, or battled to comprehend how He loves you, then here is an image of Him. Jesus called the little children to come to Him, He picked them up, embraced them and loved them. He blessed them and prayed over them. He was indignant with anyone who tried to prevent them from coming to Him. Jesus tells us that if we have seen Him, we’ve seen the Father. No wonder parents brought their children to Jesus, they wanted the best for their children. They wanted Jesus to bless them. The best gift that they and any parent can give to their child is to give them to Jesus, and then to do everything they can to help them to know and love Him. Everything else we can give them will fade away, but a relationship with God is forever.
Scripture
Mark 10:13-16 ESV And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [15] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” [16] And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Luke 18:15-17 ESV Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. [16] But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [17] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Bible Study Questions
In Mark 10:13-14 it says that people were “bringing” children to Jesus. It wasn’t a once off, it kept happening. Perhaps the disciples thought that Jesus had more important things to do and so they tried to stop them. What was Jesus reaction?
What is it about children that makes them like the people who belong in the Kingdom of God? Are they without sin? Psalm 51:4-5
Mark 10:15 says that we need to receive the Kingdom like little children. If we “receive the Kingdom” then what is it? Ephesians 2:8-9
Jesus laid His hands on these children and blessed them. (Mark 10:16). Why did these children receive God’s blessing, what is it about the parents that gave their children this wonderful advantage? (1 Corinthians 7:14)
Parents who love their children want the best for them, and would take their suffering if they could. We all give our children to someone and trust them to benefit our children. What did God give us, and what did Jesus take for us, that proves that we can trust Him and give Him our children? (John 3:16-17, 1 Peter 3:18).
Good people like teachers who will have so much of the the precious time available with our children will give them great benefits, but how are they limited in a way that Jesus is not, and how are the benefits limited in a way that Jesus benefits aren’t? (Isaiah 34:4, Psalm 102:25-28)
John 14:9 and Hebrews 1:3 tell us that Jesus shows us exactly who our Father God is. What does Jesus calling of the little children and His loving blessing tell us about God the Father?
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for Your great love for us. Thank You that You gave Your Son, Our Lord Jesus to save us. Thank You Lord Jesus for willingly and lovingly enduring shame and suffering for us. Father - thank You for Your love for all Your children, thank You for welcoming us into Your eternal and almighty arms. Please forgive us when we doubt You and struggle to trust in Your goodness. Blessed Father please forgive our sin, and help us to bring our children to You. Help us to trust You with them in the same way as they trust so simply in Your love and power. Please keep us and guard our faith Lord, now and for all eternity. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child.
Pity my simplicity.
Suffer me to come to Thee.
Lamb of God, I look to Thee.
Thou shall my example be.
Thou art gentle, meek and mild;
Thou wast once a little child.
Fain I would be as Thou art;
Give me Thine obedient heart.
Thou art pitiful and kind.
Let me have Thy loving mind.
Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb,
In Thy gracious hands I am;
Make me, Savior, what Thou art,
Live Thyself within my heart.
Service
Jesus says that we should bring little children to Him and that we should not hinder any child from coming to Him. How can we help children that we know come to Jesus? How can we spend precious time with our children “bringing them to Jesus”, and how can we avoid hindering any child, especially our own, from coming to Jesus? Let’s pray and ask for the Lord to guide us to do His will and be a blessing to the children we know and will come to know.