One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” [Matthew 19.13-14]
We often make following Jesus out to be a complicated thing. I know in my own thoughts, mostly because of my personality, I become overwhelmed with my faith and devotional life.
Then, I read what Jesus said about children. I read that Jesus commended children.
But you know what? These children did not even bring themselves to Jesus - it was their parents who brought them! And yet, Jesus commended the children!
What does this say to us? Before today, I thought it meant I should be like a little child in my approach to God. But if Jesus said, "Let the children come to me..." He would necessarily have been addressing the parents because they are the ones who actually brought the children!
Think. What do we know about children brought by parents to any mostly adult venue or event? Well, for one thing, they can be unruly and disruptive - they typically require extra attention at very least. Usually they don't really pay attention (or do so only for a very short time) and they are generally oblivious to what is going on outside their childish self.
Why would Jesus say "Don't stop them..."?
I truly believe it is in those adolescent years that the seed of faith is planted in young hearts - even though it was really through no effort of their own. The "effort" is usually found coming from the parents - someone else who brought them.
God is telling us that if we will simply bring people to Him... If we will take people to church... If we will invite people over for dinner... If we will help clean up their messes... If we will simply facilitate the exposure of people to God - wherever or whenever that might take place... then, He will take it from there.
It is those childishly unsuspecting souls that, brought into the presence of Jesus, God gives His Kingdom - just like He did you and me. Not a one of us really knew the ins-and-outs of following Christ when we started this journey - but that did not prevent God from grasping our souls and changing our lives!
So, while it may seem the point of the lesson here is about the children, it has just as much, or more, to do with the 'parents' - those who bring the 'children' to Jesus TO LET HIM BLESS THEM. You see, the 'children' are the "brought ones."
Father, thank You for revealing something to me today that I had never realized before... there is so much responsibility on those of us who know You to bring others to You... so Your Kingdom might be imparted to them.
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