Not for
children!
Today there are many things we should try to keep children away
from. Various things are openly declared to be unsuitable for
children: books, magazines, films, videos, television programmes
presenting violence and perversion, etc. Such things, of course,
are usually unsuitable for anyone's entertainment!
1*.
In this story Jesus' disciples are trying to keep children and
infants away from something very different!
"People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have Him touch them.
When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them." 2*. The disciples clearly thought Jesus
was not for children He should not be
troubled or concerned about little children!
Jesus was very annoyed with His disciples for thinking and acting
like that. 3*. He
would have to teach them a very important lesson!
Jesus called the children to Him and said, 'Let the little children
come to Me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs
to such as these." 4*.
I wonder has anyone ever discouraged you from going in faith
directly to the great God and Saviour Jesus 5*. by telling you that someone else will
do. Maybe you have been made to think that you couldn't expect to
come to Jesus as you are, Jesus wouldn't be interested in you - but
you could get some other religious person to go to Jesus on your
behalf. This doesn't only happen with children! Many people are
made to feel they need to let someone more important than they are
become their go-between with Jesus or God.
Jesus is very angry with any who would suggest that you should not
come directly to Jesus yourself. Jesus, the friend of sinners, is
ready to welcome any who sincerely come to Him as their God
and Saviour. "Let the little children come to Me... I tell you the
truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little
child will never enter it" 6*.
Jesus made it very clear that He certainly did want children
to freely come directly to Him. Jesus continues to call all to come
to Him. 7*. In His
teaching He made it very clear that He was the only Way to God;
8*. He is the ONLY
One who can 'bring us to God." 9*.
In faith you need to come to Jesus directly with the trust of a
little child! Think of a little child who is being offered a free
gift by someone they know and love. How gladly he or she will
receive it without questioning the payment of it. Will you respond
"like a little child" to the free offer of Jesus just now? He has
already paid in full for all our sins by His death for our sins. He
offers to bring you into the true family of God and to make you His
child. You can be adopted into God's family and become a true child
of God right now by faith in Jesus as your Priest and Saviour. God
wants you in His family but you can only be adopted on His terms -
by faith in Jesus. 10*.
Jesus said that all who refuse to have the faith of a little child
will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Read Jesus own words as
recorded by Luke in chapter 18, verses 15-17.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from
N.I.V.
1 Philippians 4:8.
Colossians 3:5-17.
2 Luke 18:15.
3 Mark 10:13-14.
4 Luke 18:16.
5 Titus 2:13-14.
6 Luke 18:16-17.
7 Matthew 11:28. John
6:35-37.
8 John 14:6.
9 1st Peter 3:18. 1st
Timothy 2:5-6. Hebrews 7:24-26.
10 John 1:12. Galatians
4:4-7.
