Access to Blessing:

Matthew 19:13 “...children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,...”

Mark 10:13 “...they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them...”

Luke 18:15 “...Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them...”

Context:

• All three of the synoptic gospels tell of children being brought to Jesus that He might touch them.
• All three accounts tell of the disciples rebuking those who brought children (infants).

Why would people bring their children (infants) to Jesus?

• They obviously thought that the children would be blessed by Jesus.
• They recognized that Jesus was special.

Why would the disciples rebuke people for bringing their children?

• Did they think it was inappropriate?
• Did they think it was a distraction?
• Did they think it was a waste of valuable time?

Do people still bring infants and children to Jesus?

Is it ever a problem to bring children to Jesus?

Matthew 19:14 “...but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven...”

Mark 10:14-15 “...But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it...”

Luke 18:16-17 “...But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it...”

How did Jesus respond?

• He didn’t want to hinder anyone from coming to Him, even if brought by another.
• He was actually indignant - feeling or showing anger because of something unjust.
• He advocated bringing people for blessing.
• He went so far as to say that the kingdom was received like a child.

How did you receive the kingdom of God?

• As an insignificant human that needed the blessing of Jesus?
• As a free gift that was not in any way earned?