TAKING TIME FOR CHILDREN
February 3, 2008 PM
Sermon Outline
MK 10:13-16
INTRO: What we often see in the ministry of Jesus is large crowds of people flocking around Him. But on the occasion of which we have read in our text it is apparently mothers bringing their children to Him "that he might put his hands of them, and pray" (Mt 19:13). In my mind this is a lovely and happy scene. It is not people bringing controversy. It is not people whose lives are wracked by disease. It is not people wanting to make Him their earthly king. It is not another situation of deep and different teaching to be challenged and/or misunderstood by hearers. It is a time in which there should have been no tension...just the warmth and innocence of little children. How approachable Jesus must have been!
- SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT
- A custom of that day?
- rulers of synagogues, rabbis often "blessed" children in that day
- often, on a child's first birthday such a blessing would be sought
- so, a blessing from a noted "rabbi" (Jesus) would be special
- A "procession" of mothers with their children? 10:13a
- some say the language is indicative of a repeated activity
- this was something not uncommon and involved more than a few people
- Mt 19:3 - a touch and a prayer - the prayer of a righteous person would most assuredly be a blessing (imagine what these mothers might have later told their children about this event as Christianity spread!)
- Tension? it comes from His own immediate followers!
- 10:13b - "his disciples rebuked those that brought them"
- do well meaning associates, friends, family insulate those who minister?
- compared to a discussion about divorce blessing children was not very important ... at least, to the disciples
- A custom of that day?
- JESUS HAD TIME FOR LITTLE CHILDREN!
- Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem
- He is in the very shadow of the cross (cf. Mk 10:33,34)
- doubtless, there are many things on His mind ... serious, troubling things
- He had already talked about His being rejected and killed - maybe the apostles thought He needed privacy, or peace, or quiet?
- In the midst of gathering clouds were beautiful rays of sunshine - children
- I will always remember the preachers who had time for me ... as a boy
- in retrospect, I know they had their own problems, challenges, families
- but they always had time for me ... to call me by name, to encourage, to teach, to push ... I hope I never overlook a little child! – never fail to take time with children
- Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem
- "OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD"
- There is no authority for infant baptism in this incident!
- many commentators with creedal backgrounds insist otherwise
- notice, though, not a single word here about such a thing
- and Mark will later quote Jesus: Mk 16:15,16 ... I cannot escape the belief part of this quotation!
- The words "of such" tell me that a comparison is being made here
- the kingdom is not comprised only of children!
- but there is something about children important to receiving the kingdom
- what we must do, then, is consider what those qualities might be
- So, what are some childlike qualities necessary to receiving the kingdom?
- a child's teachableness? we often think of a sponge in this regard
- willingness to believe? a child takes at "face value" a parent's teaching
- capacity for trust? a child is incredibly trusting
- submission to authority? a child usually "does what he is told" (a rebel is usually the exception)
- each of these qualities is absolutely essential to ones receiving and entering the kingdom of God - so, Mt 18:3
- Receive versus enter
- in this narrative Jesus uses both words
- there are those who have received teaching concerning the kingdom - but who have not acted on what they received
- entering requires the trusting obedience specified in scripture
- Jno 3:3,5 - most assuredly a reference to N.T. baptism at which point a believing, penitent person enters into Christ - Gal 3:26,27
- There is no authority for infant baptism in this incident!
CLOSE: One never knows when it will be the memory of a touch, a hug, a brief word from an elder, a preacher, an elderly and honored member of the Lord's church that will provide the anchor for difficult days of a child's adult years.
Cecil A. Hutson
27 January 2008