Jesus and Families!                                                                                                                    C - 4

 

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.  He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)

 

Most of the sermons that you might hear about this story revolve around what attitudes you should have to gain eternal life in heaven.  These are important sermons.  But here’s an additional picture for you now, perhaps a brand-new picture, which hopefully will bless you.

Note that the story really starts and ends with moms and dads bringing their kids to Jesus, just asking for a touch and a blessing for their kids.  Nothing complex, complicated, or even spiritually profound.  Jesus wasn’t asked to preach, to heal, to do wonders.  No, these moms and dads just wanted their kids to be noticed, held and blessed by Jesus.  And notice the word “indignant”; it’s meant to draw a picture of just how focused and driven Jesus was to be with those moms, dads and kids!  There was nowhere else he wanted to be and nothing else he wanted to do.

Now take a moment and try to picture NOT the kids on his lap, NOT the disciples looking a little upset and irritated that Jesus was “wasting time”, but rather the faces of the moms and dads as they saw their kids being touched and blessed by Jesus.  If you can see those faces, you’ll see peace, joy, happiness, confidence, a lifting of burdens, trust.  And the face of Jesus?  You’ll see a huge grin and an excitement which knows no boundaries!

If you have children of your own, know that Jesus has your best interests in mind.  Just as He wanted to be with those families, He wants to spend time with you and yours also, today!  Ask Him and see it happen!

 

1) Although this story teaches us much about entering His kingdom and how to do it, there’s a lot more we can learn from it.  Why did Jesus want so much to spend time with kids, moms, and dads?

2) Try to imagine the level, the amount, the concentration, of attention He gave to these kids.  What was His mood and what was His motivation?

3) Why did the apostles conclude that this kid-time was a waste of time?

4) What do you suppose “hinder” meant to Jesus?  Can we hinder our own kids from knowing Jesus?  How?

5) Why couldn’t the apostles have seen the excitement of Jesus as He prayed for each child?

6) Picture the parents for a moment.  How did they feel about this?

7) Can you picture Jesus playing soccer with those kids?  How would Jesus feel if you were in that game? 

8) How about if it just you and Jesus playing?  How would you be?  How would Jesus be?