  
|
|
About-Him.Com Devotional 04-23-2005
Http://About-Him.Com/ My Thoughts on the Life of Christ, from His Baptism to His Ascension. 174: Little Children Blessed - Mt.19:13-15; Mk.10:13-16; Luke18:15-17 Mark 10:13 ¶ And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. As was usual, the common people thronged to see and hear Jesus. It was the custom that whenever a great leader was in the area, the people would bring their children, hoping for a touch and a blessing. The Lord's disciples began to turn these people away. Jesus became indignant and rebuked the disciples. To paraphrase, "Don't turn these children away, for of such is the kingdom of heaven and if you don't become as one of them, you will not even see the kingdom. Conclusion and Application: The three synoptic gospels all give essentially the same account of this incident. Matthew and Mark state that young children were being brought to Jesus and Luke adds that it also involved infants. Mark also states that Jesus was displeased (some translators say "indignant") by His disciples reaction. Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. A little child is totally helpless and is dependent upon his parents for care. A little child has absolute confidence in his parents. How does one receive the kingdom of God as a little child? Do we just have a change of attitude? Do we just determine to follow the golden rule and be good to others? No, this good but it will not get us into the kingdom. We can only become as a little child by experiencing the new birth the Jesus mentioned to Nicodemus. (See The Birth of the Water and the Spirit) Jesus also stated in Matthew 18:3 that except we are converted and become as a little child, we will not enter His kingdom. It is necessary to believe on and respond to the gospel. When we do so we have passed from death unto life (John 5:24). We cannot come to the Lord as we are because no flesh can glory in His sight (Romans 3:20 I Corinthians 1:29).The blood of Jesus is the only thing that can transform us and make us worthy to come before Him His Spirit enables us to be conformed to His image and to do the things that are pleasing to Him (Exodus 12:13). When we are in Christ we have become new creatures. Old things have passed away and all things are becoming new (II Corinthians 5:17). Our carnality is put away and we willingly subject ourselves to the laws and principals of the kingdom of God. This can only be accomplished through the enabling grace that we receive at our new birth. We should bring our children to the Lord as early as possible. Proverbs 22:6 tells us that when they are old they will not depart from His ways. In Matthew 18:1-6, (Jesus likens all believers to little children (See Par. 140). Heavy penalties are prescribed or any who offend them (Luke 17:2). I believe that the Lord is displeased, even indignant, when we do anything that hinders a child from coming to him and also if we do anything to hinder a fellow believer. Let us know. What do you think? Contact@about-him.com In About-Him
Online Sermons http://about-him.com/sermonlink.htmlOur Bible Studies http://about-him.com/bslinkpage.html Our Music: http://about-him.com/audio.html Flash Theater http://about-him.com/player.html Scripture list on 30 subjects http://about-him.com/wordarc.html Humor
Speaking of humility, you should read my new book, Humility and How I Obtained It.
Somebody Has Said
"We have a God who delights in impossibilities." - Billy Sunday
Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus
Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh.
It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your
faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
|