Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV) Children of the Kingdom 13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch

them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." 16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them. It was customary for parents to bring their children to the rabbis for a blessing, and so it was reasonable that they would bring the little ones to Jesus. Matthew 19:13 says they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them... and pray for them. a: to express strong disapproval of someonei So the disciples really let those parents have it. Their religious world view was such that children had no place in the system of religion, no place before God. Not until they arrived at the point where they could do the things they needed to do to gain Gods favor. The disciples looked upon children just as useless, unimportant; therefore they should not disturb the adults when they were busy at work. They felt Jesus was too busy and His work was too important to be disturbed. 1. Children are invited to Jesus. aganakteo: (derivative of indignation, 88.186) to be indignant against what is judged to be wrongii - He is very angry that they would treat children this way. Children here is paideia, just a general word, but Luke uses the word brephos, thats babies perhaps up to three or four. We know theyre babies because verse 16 says He enfolded them in His arms. Children should be exposed to the love, leading, learning, and life found in Jesus. Deuteronomy 6:7 (NKJV) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

2. Children are citizens of Heaven.

Mark 10:14 (NASB) for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Babies, before they reach a point in time when before God they become accountable for believing or not believing, are under special divine care. 2 Samuel 12:23 (NKJV) But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." Jews were convinced that you earned your way to heaven by good works. Children couldnt do that. It then becomes for us a powerful illustration that salvation is by grace. Matthew, Mark and Luke all follow up this incident with the story of the rich, young ruler. And this man had no place in the Kingdom and here are babies who couldnt keep the Law at all and they have a place in the Kingdom. This is a dramatic contrast. Nothing is said about the parents faith, some family covenant, baptism, circumcision, any rite, any ritual, any parental promise, parental covenant, or any national covenant. His words simply and completely engulf all babies. They belong to the Kingdom, the Kingdom belongs to them. He doesnt say elect babies are in the Kingdom, as some would espouse and non-elect babies are not. The only possible way these children could ever be in heaven would be by sheer grace, right? Sheer grace, thats the only way anybody will ever be in heaven. Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
3. Children are examples of saving faith.

A little child is dependent and trusting. A little child is responsive and submissive. A little child is obedient and learning. A little child is humble and forgiving.

We enter Gods kingdom by faith, like little children: helpless, unable to save ourselves, totally dependent on the mercy and grace of God. Ephesians 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 1 John 2:1 (NKJV) My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. We tell the children to behave like adults, but Jesus tells the adults to model themselves after the children!

4. Children are blessed by Jesus. Jesus does not bless people who dont belong in His Kingdom. The elders used to say that when you pray for your child and you pray blessing on your child, you pray this, that the child would be famous in the Law, faithful in marriage and abundant in good works. John 6:37 (NKJV) All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. Matthew 21:15-16 (NKJV) 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant 16 and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?" Jesus as a child (Luke 2:49). Timothys childhood (2 Tim. 1:5). (2 Tim. 3:15). Samuel (1 Samuel 2:26) (1 Samuel 3:1). King Joash, 7yrs old (2 Chron. 24:1-2). King Josiah, 8yrs old (2 Chron. 34:1-3).

Louw, Johannes P. ; Nida, Eugene Albert: Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament : Based on Semantic Domains. electronic ed. of the 2nd edition. New York : United Bible societies, 1996, c1989, S. 1:435
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Louw, Johannes P. ; Nida, Eugene Albert: Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament : Based on Semantic Domains. electronic ed. of the 2nd edition. New York : United Bible societies, 1996, c1989, S. 1:761