13 Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
Tenderness describes Jesus when it came to the most vulnerable of society, children. That, however, could not be said of His disciples, at least not at this point in their training. So one more thing they had to learn by watching and listening to their Master, the message of the Kingdom was for all, even children.
This teaching was occasioned by someone presenting a group of young ones to Christ. This apparently seemed natural, an appropriate thing to do and it speaks of the faith of those who brought them. What a tremendous thing that in a world when children are introduced to many different influences, someone would to lead them the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Messiah—to introduce their young, formative minds and hearts to the One who came to establish righteousness and holiness—to expose them to the “unsearchable riches of grace, overflowing, never-failing, fullness.”
Laying on of hands was a ceremonial act for conveying a blessing. We see this in Jewish heritage when Jacob, for example, laid hands on Joseph’s sons (Gen 48:14). A blessing from Jesus was sought for these children and who better to pray for a child than a godly man known to be close to God. He was recognized at least as such—yet, unknown to most people at that time, was far greater and therefore His prayers would be assured.
We have no record of what Jesus actually prayed for them, but we do know what He prayed for us. In the upper room, just before He died, the Lord interceded, “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word” (John 17:20). We do well to listen in on what He prayed for us in that wonderful, pre-crucifixion intercession for us.
Once again, Jesus rebuked His disciples (see also Matt 16:22). Being a disciple requires critique of our behavior. Some abandon ship because of pride, disciples heed and make corrections. Disciples must never forget that leading children to Christ is highly valued in the Kingdom. And, indeed, as the Lord instructed previously (18:3), the standard for coming to Christ is to become like children. That the disciples learned this truth is evident, for John adapted this terminology in referring to believers as children (see 1 John 2:1).
Lord, help me not strive for sophistication, complexity or status. Rather I want to continually come to You and live in You with child-like faith.
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