We notice that Jesus is talking about divorce and remarriage in the first twelve verses and then in verses 13 to 16 verses, Jesus begins to talk about little children. We think that God is developing a family theme because God is concerned about the family and the members of it. God is a family-oriented God. The Bible says in Acts 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house.” God does not only want to impact in your individual life, but God also wants to impact your family in a great way. God can impact the family by being part and concern for those who are weak even the children.

In the opening twelve verses, Jesus talks about divorce and remarriage. There are some men who after marrying a woman, the time when a child is born then the man walks away and disappear. God says, “When you marry a woman, you stay with her.” The Bible says woman is a weaker vessel and God is a defender of the weak. But not only is God a defender of a woman who is the weaker vessel (I Peter 3:7), but God is also a defender of weak children. As of today generation, children are treated as inferior people like cheap commodities.

In our passage, Jesus allowed Himself to be interrupted when kids were present. God wants us to have a high value of children. The decay of the family that is happening around us are evident that nations are being decayed and that churches are being decayed because churches are merely a bunch of families coming together to worship. Therefore, God is saying that the family is important. Children are important to God. Therefore, it is our job and responsibility to bring children to the saving knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Now, many churches today do not really get involved in a children ministry. Churches of today they do not have some program or schedule for the kid’s ministry. Messiah Baptist Church has a great desire and always must have a great value in the lives and future of children at their earliest age as possible.

I – OPPOSE NOT CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

A. Because of Age – v. 13a, 14b

Mark 10:13 "And they brought young children to him,”

Mark 10:14b “and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me,”

The words “they brought.” Or translated “bringing” NET, ESV, NIV, YLT, ASV, CSB, NRS, NASB, NJB. That means it is imperfect tense picturing them bringing one and then another and another, again and again.

Jesus had been giving instruction going throughout the area. Jesus going around providing healing for people.

Two things that people think concerning little children:

1. They think that Children do not need healing.

2. They think that little children cannot grasp instruction.

Some people think that children are so little they don’t need healing and say that children are not ready for salvation until they reach an age of accountability. That is why according to these people, at an early age we don’t have to be unduly concerned about the salvation of children. According to their thinking, Children aren’t born in sin. They are basically clean slates, and therefore we don’t have to be concerned about rescuing kids from any depravity. They said that children after all, kids are born basically good.

This arguments or idea that kids aren’t born lost is unbiblical. The psalmist said that he was conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”). David is saying that his sin nature was there from the very moment of conception. The psalmist also said that children go away from the womb speaking lies (Psalm 58:3 “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.”). Did you know that kids learned how to lie before they learned how to talk?

ILLUSTRATION: We used to think that kids cried for two reasons: they were either wet or hungry. And we found out that sometimes we put our infants to that bed, and they would start crying. We went in and discovered that they were dry. And we knew that we had just fed them before we put them down. Our babies were pretending to be wet or hungry so we would rescue them from behind the bars of that crib. They were liars. I’m saying that depravity is not something that kids grow into. We do not to teach them how to sin, they are born with sinful nature.

These pessimistic people argue, “Well, even if they are depraved, you can’t teach a kid anything. They are unable to learn.” But here, in verse 13 these children who are brought to Jesus are called “young children.” The Bible says later in this passage Jesus was able to pick them up in His arms in verse 16 “And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” That word in verse 13 “young children” doesn’t sound like twelve or thirteen to me. The word “young children” is used in a diminutive form for it carries with it the idea of a little child that was also used in verse 14 “little children.”

There are some instances where this word “young children” is used:

Matthew 2:8 “And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” The wise men have come to Jerusalem and they’re looking for the baby Jesus and Herod sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child.”

John 16:21 “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.”

Now in both of those instances, the word “child” in Greek is paidion which means infant or is used of a little baby. As a matter of fact, in Luke’s account on this passage in Luke 18:15 “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.” Here, Luke uses a Greek word “brephos” means infant, newborn child, babies and is used sometimes of an unborn or fetus. Once a child was able to walk, Luke word’s was no longer used of a child.

The point we want to emphasize here is that the Bible is simply saying that we ought to teach children at the youngest age possible. Paul wrote to Timothy and said in II Timothy 3:15 “that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” When Paul refers to Timothy’s childhood, he used that word that the Greeks used of a fetus. Paul is saying to Timothy literally, from a fetus you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus.

The thing that I want to point out is that there is no age too young to start instructing a child in the things of God. Some kids are better learners than some of us adult. These children are sharper, crisper, and more able to grasp things. That is why we should not be surprised that children get saved; we should be surprised that adults get saved. This argument that kids are too young to grasp the things of God is totally bogus. (Fake, not true).

B. Because of Antagonism – v. 13b-14a

Mark 10:13b “and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.”

Mark 10:14a “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased,”

The disciples here were the twelve apostles and yet they had no vision of Christ’s love for little children.

There were some who “brought infants to Jesus that He would touch them: but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them.” They thought most probably that it was mere waste of their master’s time, and that infants could derive no benefit from being brought to Christ.

Possibly, the disciples were guarding entree to Jesus and presumably did not want their Master bothered by what they considered to be such unimportant matters as touching and blessing infants!

There is a simple but important lesson here for all of us - No one should ever be stopped or discouraged from coming or from being brought to Jesus.

The rebuke of the disciples was both unjustified and without result. They kept on rebuking those who brought the children as fast as they came to Jesus.

It was customary for the Jews to bring little children to the rabbis to receive their special blessing, so it is strange that the disciples would stand in the way...However, this was not the first time the disciples had attempted to “get rid of” people. The rebuke of the disciples are similar manifestations of unkindness on the part of the disciples. They wanted to send the crowd away hungry, but Jesus fed them (Matthew 14:15); and they tried to stop the Canaanite woman from asking Jesus to heal her daughter grievously vexed with a devil (Matthew 15:21-24), but Jesus answered her prayer; the disciples forbid someone casting out devils in the name of Jesus but Jesus said to the disciples to forbid that someone who cast out demons (Luke 9:49-50). The Twelve did not yet have the compassion of their Master, but it would come in due time.

We get so task-oriented and so busy saving the world that we don’t want the children to bother the Savior. How strange, how sad, and yet how often this happens. The disciples were like the president’s bodyguards, keeping well-wishers at a distance. To the disciples, the children were just a bother, one more interruption in an already-busy day.

Another argument against a children’s ministry is that people don’t like children around. For some people they find children irritating. Some people view all children as a nuisance or causing inconvenience or annoyance. If this is your case or you are one of those people irritated of children, therefore you miss so much in life when you do not have children around. Children are wonderful. Jesus never found that children are truly irritating and nuisance. Jesus loved for kids to be around. And when you and I have antagonism to children, we don’t have the desires of Christ.

Notice in verse 14, the word “But” is a term of contrast – Here the scene moves from compassion to criticism! Luke contrasts Jesus' welcoming attitude with His disciples' hindering attitude. " Jesus’ attitude toward children contrasts significantly with that of his day...In the first century a child was an insignificant, weak member of society and so exemplified one who is “least.”

The words “Jesus saw it”, Jesus saw the conduct of his disciples.

The words, “he was much displeased.” Jesus was displeased, first, it was a pleasure to Him to receive and bless little children; and, secondly, they were doing what they were not commanded to do - interfering in a case where it was evidently improper.

Jesus expressed righteous indignation at the attitude and actions of His disciples.

Now, notice the way the wonderful story of this passage puts it. We read in verse 13 that the disciples rebuked those that brought them, and in verse 14, when Jesus saw that antagonism attitude of the disciples, Jesus then was much displeased. The words “much displeased” is very interesting words and that was one of the strongest Greek words the apostle Mark used. The word “much displeased” from Greek word “agan” (much) and “achtos” (pain, grief). This means to be greatly affected; indignant; be much (sore) displeased; have (be moved with) indignation. The point is Jesus is completely indignant with people who do not want kids around. When children annoy us, we do not have the desires of Christ. When children get on our nerves, we don’t have the same desires that are compatible with Christ. Christ said, “Don’t forbid that. Allow that to happen.”

It is true, that few of the world’s great religious teachers have been greatly concerned with children. Jesus is different. The Master called the children and made them welcome (Luke 18:16).

Sing this wonderful old tune:

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red and yellow, black and white,

They are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

II – OPEN A CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Some people oppose children’s ministry, but these people are wrong. On the other hand, many people were excited of having a children’s ministry.

Four reasons why we should have children’s ministry:

A. Because of the Touch of Christ – v.13a

Mark 10:13a “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them:”

That is Jesus should lay His hands on these young children and pray for them and bless them.

Mark recorded eight times that Jesus touched someone, and in each case the effect was beneficial (Mark 1:41; Mark 3:10; Mark 5:28, 41; Mark 6:56; Mark 7:32; Mark 8:22; Mark 10:13).

It was the custom for mothers to bring their children to some distinguished Rabbi on their first birthday that he might bless them. That is what the mothers wanted for their children from Jesus....It is one of the loveliest things in all the gospel story that Jesus had time for the children even when Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem to die!

The purpose of bringing the children was to receive a touch from Jesus and to receive a blessing. Children were brought in order that Jesus might touch these young children in verse 13 and in verse 16, to bless them by putting Jesus hands upon them. Our children at no other time in the history of mankind are in a desperate need for a touch from the Lord Jesus Christ. We live in a day where children are so inappropriately touched by so many people. Many times, we watch and heard the news on TV or read on the newspaper and see where a child has been touched with physical and sexually abuse. That infuriates or enrages me. Our children are in need of a healthy touch. And there is no more healthy touch in the entire world than the healthy touch of God.

Since there are so many people out there in our community and other places who have abuse, molested, rob or merciless killed or even touched a child inappropriately, that is why it is so sadly, that our society has become so sick in our children ministries today that they are saying we have to be careful about touching children or even our world has become so perverted that you have to be careful about touching a child even as you do it appropriately. There’s no more appropriate touch in the entire world than the touch of God. Why have a children’s ministry? Christ’s touch is necessary.

Reaching out to needy children,
Showing them our love and care,
Is one way that God can use us
To bring hope in their despair.
—Sper

Give hope to a child—share the love of Christ.

B. Because of the Taste of Christ - v.14b

Mark 10:14b “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

Jesus here is saying, “Do not hinder them”, (ESV; NASB) Jesus issues this command in present imperative with a negative which means stop doing this, that is hindering them from coming to Himself.

We see in this verse, Christ told children to come unto Him because the kingdom of heaven is like children.

Jesus liked children to be around. That was Jesus’ desire and that was Jesus’ taste:

Jesus was thronged by all kinds of people throughout His earthly ministry.

Jesus was thronged by Pharisees who were bitter and sarcastic and asked Him all kinds of tricky questions.

Jesus was thronged by people who were suffering from disease and longed for a touch from His hand.

Jesus was thronged by people who were greedy for food and merely wanted the material things that they could get off of Christ.

Jesus was thronged by legitimately pious people who could hear the words that He had to utter and speak.

Jesus was thronged by sinners who were in desperate need of the forgiveness of God.

But none of those groups moved the heart of Jesus like little children. Jesus said, “Don’t forbid the little children to come unto me; permit them to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of God.” Jesus loved to be around by children; that was Jesus’ desire. That was Jesus’ taste.

What is Jesus explaining? In context He is explaining how to enter the Kingdom of God. Recall that Jesus had explained to Nicodemus that "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3) adding that "You must (necessity) be born again." (John 3:7). Therefore, in this context the phrase Kingdom of God is referring to the "sphere of salvation".

Notice the phrase “for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” NASB; or “for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” ESV; The key phrase is “belongs to those who are like these children” So, Jesus is comparing the children to those who gain entrance into the Kingdom of God. Jesus is not speaking of the external, earthly, physical kingdom of God, but Jesus is referring here of the internal, heavenly, spiritual Kingdom of God. He is telling the disciples how one can enter to and possess the Kingdom of God, and more specifically how they can be saved and receive eternal life.

Jesus wants us to be childlike but not childish. Jesus recommends here is childlikeness. This does not mean childishness, or even innocence. The only way to enter God’s kingdom is to become like a child and be born again (John 3:3-7).

Jesus did not say that God’s kingdom belongs “to these” but “to such as these.” Jesus was not saying that all children, simply because they are children, have received God’s kingdom (Luke 18:17). The phrase “for of such is the kingdom of God” means Children are a picture of those whose simple trust illustrates what faith is all about. The remark illustrates how everyone is important to God, God wants everyone to taste of Christ, even those whom others regard as insignificant. Only those who humble themselves like children shall enter the kingdom.

ILLUSTRATION: D. L. Moody once returned from a meeting and reported two and a half conversions. “Two adults and a child, I suppose?” asked his host. “No,” said Moody, “two children and an adult. The children gave their whole lives. The adult had only half of his left to give.”

ILLUSTRATION: Many years ago, missionary Robert Moffat learned the importance of not overlooking children. Only a few people had come to one of his meetings because of bad weather. Although disheartened, he preached his message, not noticing a small boy who was operating the bellows of the organ. Before Moffat was finished, that boy had decided to become a missionary. His name was David Livingstone, who grew up to become God’s pioneering servant in Africa.

ILLUSTRATION: Michael wanted to be baptized. At first his father had reservations about this because Michael is autistic. Autism is a developmental disability that affects a person’s social interaction and communication skills. There was no question that 35-year-old Michael had trusted Jesus for salvation, and the church leadership enthusiastically approved his baptism. But he would have to stand in front of the entire congregation. Knowing that Michael didn’t like surprises, his dad reviewed all that would happen. But during the baptism, when the pastor said, “Michael, I baptize you in the name of the Father,” Michael interrupted as if to remind him, “and the Son!” The congregation smiled with joy. And Michael was baptized in obedience to Christ’s command. Each of us comes to Jesus at a different level of spiritual understanding, and Jesus extends His welcome to all who respond. When little children approached the Savior, His disciples tried to send them away. But Christ rebuked them and said, “Let the little children come to Me” (Mark 10:14). And that also applies to the developmentally disabled.

The gospel is simple. The Savior is approachable. And His invitation is open to everyone.

What would you feel? Think about the things that you would miss if children weren’t around. Did you realize somethings that you missed? That type of honesty and transparency is missed when you don’t have children around. Children are a great joy to the heart. The wonderful things that little kids have said have provided enjoyable laughter for years. All of that wonderful and enjoyable thing is missed when you dislike children. But when you like children to be around, you have the taste of Christ.

We as parents, schoolteachers, church workers, and neighbors must never overlook the children whom God puts into our lives. Remember, the kingdom of God is for children too.

C. Because of the Truth of Christ - v.14b-16

Mark 10:14b “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁵Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. ¹⁶And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

In verse 13, children were brought to Jesus, in order for Jesus to put a blessing on them according to verse 16 “put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” In other words, Jesus was going to express or put in words the blessing on these young children. Jesus was going to utter something from His mouth to the ears of these children that they would be able to hear the words of blessing.

The Touching or laying on of hands is used in Scripture as a way to bestow blessing on another (Acts 6:6, Acts 8:17, Acts 9:17, 1 Timothy 5:22, 2 Timothy 1:6).

Notice the words “Verily I say unto you,”, Jesus is saying “I solemnly declare”. This phrase is used repeatedly by Jesus to introduce a solemn teaching. In this case it is "solemn" because it has to do with how one is saved. In Greek two words: “amen” (verily or truly) when used with “lego” (I say) as in this passage emphasizes that what is being said is a solemn declaration of what is true. This phrase "truly I say" “verily I say” is used only by Jesus and always conveys the sense of "I assure you" or "I solemnly tell you."

This combination of truly I say or verily I say (sometimes "truly, truly I say" or “verily, verily I say”) is in fact a key phrase in the Gospels where it is used about 70 times and as noted is always spoken by Jesus. The point is that Jesus made many "solemn statements." Of course, in one sense everything Jesus said was "solemn," (characterized or marked by seriousness or sincerity) but some statements were more "solemn" than others, such as in the present context that deals with the crucial topic of salvation.

ILLUSTRATION: Steven Cole told a story: I read about a missionary to Africa back in the 1950’s who was appalled when she saw the native children at recess not run and play, but rather hunt mice and grasshoppers. They would impale them on a stick and roast and eat them. When she inquired as to why the children were so hungry, she found out that in that culture, the men ate their fill first, followed by the women. If anything was left, the children could eat. The children were considered the least important in that society. How unlike Jesus! He considered children important enough to give them His time and individual blessing. He wants us to learn from children what it means to believe in Him. He wants us to lead children to faith in Him. I pray that if you have never done so, you will come in simple faith to Jesus as your Savior. I pray that many of you will commit yourselves to the important task of leading children to Christ. You will be doing a work that our Savior Himself counted important.

To those who are teaching the gospel,
With love in their hearts for its truth,
Comes the gentle reminder from heaven,
“Forget not the children and youth.”
—Anon.

Little kids are so vulnerable, or they will immediately believe anything because that is the nature of children to believe anything. Young children are so trusting, that is why we have to zealously protect what goes into the hearing of our children. There’s nothing more precious to put into the hearing of a child than the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s sad what we allow our children’s ears to hear every day bad words and unbiblical principles of the world. Some family turn on a TV virtually every night and watch primetime television and let people curse and say some evil words or portrayed a role that was against the will and words of God. Many families and even Christian parents allow abusive words and sexual innuendo and all kinds of sin to fill our homes every day. We have mothers and fathers who scream at one another and teach children that that’s the way they are to interact with one another. It’s amazing what the ears of these little kids hear every single day. We ought to zealously protect our children. We want our kids to be insulated from wickedness; we want our kids to be innocent concerning evil. And if we’re going to fill their ears with anything, we need to fill their ears with the truth of the Word of God. There is a necessity of Christ’s truth.

D. Because of the Trust like of a Child – v.15-16

Mark 10:15-16 “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. you, ¹⁶And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

Jesus was referring to the childlike characteristics that ready to receive Christ—joy and wonder, but also simplicity, dependence, trust, and humility.

Churches must have a children ministry, because of the necessity of child-like trust. The words “he took them up in his arms” means these were small children. Many people often do not believe that little children get saved because for them the conversions of children are not considered important. Why is it that for other people, if an adult gets saved that is important whereas if a kid gets saved, we cannot really count that important. However, in our passage, Jesus is so interested in kids getting saved.

While Jesus lived on this earth, He took little children in His arms and blessed them. And He is still in the child-embracing ministry today.

Jesus valued children as persons of worth. After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Lord accepted the praise of children and reminded those who criticized them that God has ordained praise even “out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants” (Matthew 21:16 “And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”; Psalm 8:2 “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength”

When the disciples of Jesus wanted to know who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven, the Lord pointed to a called a little child to Him, set the child in the midst of them as Jesus spoke of conversion and humility said in Matthew 18:3-4 “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.⁴Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Notice the words of Jesus in verse 15 “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” What does it mean? It is a phenomenal thing; we can say extraordinary or very remarkable that adults get saved because the more you hear the word of God and reject it the more difficult it is for you to get saved. Anybody who gets saved has to get saved like the way a kid got saved as Jesus explained, so it is not hard for a kid to act like a kid. The hard thing is to get adults and believe and accept the truth, so adult needs to be like a kid, to have a child-like trust. Kids will take facts much more readily than adults will. Adults are the ones who after hard years of sin find it difficult to humble themselves and accept the simple truth that Jesus died on the cross to save them from their sins, so they need to repent from all their sins and depend upon Jesus redemptive work that hath done on the cross as their only hope of Heaven and invite Jesus to come into their heart. In conclusion, anybody who gets saved has to get saved as a little child, and if you don’t get saved as a little child you don’t get saved, that is what Jesus meant in verse 15 “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” That is whosoever shall not manifest the spirit of a little child that is with the temper and spirit of a child - teachable, mild, humble, and free from prejudice.

In this passage, we see a full-grown man running unhindered to Jesus and asking Jesus how to have eternal life (v.17-21), but he ends up leaving Him “because he had great wealth” (v. 22). Three times the phrase “the kingdom of God” is used in verses 17–27. “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (v.23); “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” (v.24); “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (v.25). Simple, childlike trust in Jesus is better than “adultlike”.

Notice the phrase, “And he took them up in his arms”, the Greek word “enagkalizomai”, frp, agkale =arm when bent (only in Luke 2:28) which means to take something into the crook of their arms for the purpose of holding close. That means to embrace, to hug, to put one’s arms around. This entire scene that Jesus took the children up in his arms demonstrated the submission and trustfulness of the child. It was touching picture of Jesus tenderness and love for children. On another level Jesus undoubtedly wanted His grown disciples to have that same “child-like” trust and dependence (and Jesus still does for all of us beloved of God!)

Notice the last phrase in verse 16 “put his hands upon them and blessed them.” The word “blessed” or “blessing” in NASB is in Greek “kateulogeo” means to bless fervently, invoke a blessing on, ask God to be favorable toward someone.

When God offers you eternal life, He does so simply because He loves you and wants you to have eternal life and be saved. And you have to be simple enough to be like a kid to believe that God’s offer is true and take the gift of eternal life. You have to have the trust of a little child, have a child-like faith to believe that God means what He says and God says what He means. And that being the case, you are accepting the gift of eternal salvation.

Whosoever invited Jesus to come into their heart and save them, by repenting from your sins and believing what Jesus did on that cross is sufficiently enough that fully paid their sins, then they take Jesus simply at His Word and accept Jesus offer the free gift of salvation (John 3:15-16, 36). God saves me because I have simply trust in what He said (I John 5:13). If you have not yet placed your simple trust in Christ, like child-like faith, why not do that today? Jesus wants anyone to come to Him.