MARK 10:13-16

MARK 10:13-16

MARK 10:13-16 - Not understanding the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ, the disciples tried to restrain the parents, as though Jesus could not be troubled with the children. They considered this an imposition, as though it were below the dignity of their Master to be occupied with the little ones. But Jesus is the Friend of the children, as He at once made manifest. 

   The little ones were typical members of the kingdom, because of their implicit faith in Him. Children are the ideal converts. When old enough to understand the story of the Lord Jesus, they are old enough to come to Him in trustful confidence. They enter into the kingdom of God when, according to human standards, older and wiser ones refuse to do so. When our Lord said of the little ones, “Of such is the kingdom of God,” this was not to imply that the children do not need to be regenerated in order to enter truly into that kingdom. They come of a lost race, and are by nature children of wrath. But their simple faith makes them subjects of the kingdom, and in this they are examples to us all.

“Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” Only as we manifest the same childlike faith do we enter into the kingdom of God. 

   Conversion of Children. There are many today who, like the disciples of old, imagine that little children are too young to be brought to the Lord Jesus Christ. But His own words are too plain to be misunderstood. He invites the children to come to Him, and encourages the parents to bring them. Elsewhere He speaks of “these little ones which believe in Me” (Matt. 18:6), and He gives a solemn warning to any who put stumbling-blocks before their inexperienced feet. We are right when we sing of Him, “There’s a Friend for little children.” He is their Friend, and He delights in their love and confidence, and esteems them as His friends. It is a well-known fact that by far the greatest number of those who are now earnest Christians came to the Saviour before they were twelve years of age.