Just Have Child-Like Faith

Mark 10:13-14: “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 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.“

People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on 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.

No doubt that some of the children who were brought to Jesus needed to be healed, the whole point was for Jesus to lay hands on them, something parents of sick kids would be desperate to do. So not only were the disciples saying no to kids coming forward, but they were likely saying no to sick kids as well.  

Why is it that we within this generation hear all the time that we are losing young people to the church? Could it be that we just like the disciples have hindered them?

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, 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, placed His hands on them and blessed them.

Jesus’ rebuke to the disciples was to say to them do not to restrict access to Him and the same goes for us. Our preconceived ideas about how relationships with God works, and our lofty opinions about how it should work restrict our ability to receive all He has for us, we want to earn our way into His lap.

The children went to Jesus without anything of value to offer Him except their love and excitement to be there. He wanted to spend time with them, hug them, and heal them.  

Jesus feels the same way about you and me, but our disappointments, bitterness and defensiveness restricts us. Our shame and guilt and insecurity restrict us.  Our pride in our appearance and accomplishments restricts us. Our desire to control our lives restricts us. And all of this keeps us from coming unhindered to the one who counts us precious.

We are precious to Jesus too, when we recognize out need for His help, when we’re willing to defer, to receive, to be led and to be loved on. We’re precious when we come to Jesus with the simple expectation that because of who He is and how He loves, we’re welcome, wanted, forgiven, and will be restored.

Pastor Lee Cruse who wants every one of us to recapture that child-like faith to see our Savior the way that He really is.