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What does let the little children come to me mean?
There were times when children were brought to Jesus so He could Bless them and/or lay hands on them. It is implied that the parents brought them to see Jesus for these blessings and or healings.
“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,” Matthew 19:13
but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
Children in those day, were certainly a blessing to their parents, yet, were basically told to, “be seen and not heard.” However, Christ saw them as weak and vulnerable, yet they could offer much to teach us as adults. As we age, we become hardened to the world, often making us cold-hearted. But not when we stay in the Word!
Remember when the Apostles asked: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1–3)
The Psalmist writes, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3–5
We see in Isaiah, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 What does that mean? Today Christ is not present to teach our little ones. So, who and how then shall they learn from the Lord?
God gave His only begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit the complete Logos, which is Christ and His Holy Word. We find all that He wants us to know for now in the Scriptures.
Our precious children need to be taught the whole counsel of God; a term used by Paul in Acts.
“for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:27
So then, how are they to learn? By attending Bible Studies and being in church to hear the Word of God every Sunday as it is preached here at Lighthouse Bible Church. Our children don’t receive a watered-down Gospel, although the language used in their Bible Studies at their age-appropriate level. But they learn the same as Pastor preaches, “Verse by Verse.” The Apostle John writes:
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4) “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” Mark 9:37
It is the responsibility of the husband/father to instruct your children. This also means seeing to it that they will attend church every Sunday and also attend related Bible Studies to learn the Word (Logos).
“Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.” Deuteronomy 6:1–2
However, fathers need to honor this extremely important advice.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
P.S. It is okay to bring your youngsters (ten and older) to hear the Word of God in our Wednesday Evening Bible Study. If God put it in the Bible (and He did), then even the younger ones need to hear the Word (Logos), especially in these trying times.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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