15 And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he
should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked
them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him saying, Suffer the little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such
belongeth the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever
shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall
in no wise enter therein.
This charming picture of Jesus blessing little children is sketched by
Matthew and Mark as well as by Luke. Its attractiveness has given it a
place on the canvas of many an artist. Its symbolic message is being
accepted by the modern Church, “They were bringing unto him also their
babes.” The parents were probably carrying these children in their arms.
They realized that not only the lepers and the infirm needed the touch of
Christ, but that the power of the Master would bring blessing to the
children as well.
This touch may properly picture that personal relation and spiritual
contact with Christ which to-day, with equal eagerness, should be sought
for their children by all parents. “When the disciples saw it, they
rebuked them.” They seemed to have felt that children were too
insignificant to be allowed to interfere with the work or to demand the
attention of Christ. At this present time there are many things which tend
to keep parents from bringing their children to the Master: custom and
carelessness and indifference and fear and diffidence; even friends seem
to play the part of those “disciples” and to conspire to prevent and
rebuke those who really long to see their children brought into a
sanctifying relationship to the Lord. No problem of to-day is more
important than the removal of such barriers and obstacles. The Christian
nurture of children is the supreme need of the times. “But Jesus called
them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and
forbid them not.” This reply of the Master has cast an unfading halo about
the faces of all children. Their innocence and their need made a special
appeal to the Master. Should it not affect us in like manner, and should
we not feel that no work is more Christlike and none more blessed than the
care of these little ones whom our Lord so truly loves? We are the real
servants of our Master only as we feel the appeal of childhood and as we
seek to supply to children their physical and mental and spiritual needs.
“For to such belongeth the kingdom of God.” It is theirs by right. It
belongs not only to those particular children whom Jesus was then
blessing, not only to all children in general, but to all of whatever age
who are childlike in their trust and dependence and purity. All those who
are intrusted to the care of the Master and who accept his saving grace
will find a place in his Kingdom.
As the crowds gazed in wonder and sympathy on this tender scene, our Lord
added this word of warning, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of
God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.”