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The Blessing of Jesus

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
(Matthew 19:13-15)

“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12)
The compassion, kindness, and gentleness of the Lord Jesus towards the little ones shine forth brightly in this passage. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s charge to us in Colossians to manifest these virtues as well:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
(Colossians 3:12)

“Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love Thou art.” – Charles Wesley
Indeed, these virtues are also included in the listing of the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

In our verses for today, not driven by any particular need other than the desire for Christ to bless them, we find parents bringing their little ones to Jesus simply in order for Him to lay His hands on them in prayer. Their actions demonstrate a great respect for Christ as well as a high value on His favor and blessing. In other places in scripture, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus in dire need of healing. Yet it appears that these sought only His blessing.

“For the love of God is broader than the measures of man’s mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.” -Frederick William Faber
We cannot do anything better for our children than to commit them to the Lord Jesus. It is His blessing that will guide, lead, and help them. There is no higher ground. We are to trust in the Lord and His direction. He alone can answer the prayers of the heart as well as fully satisfy all inward longings and desires. King David writes:

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:3-6)

“It is rare that Christians earnestly seek the Lord’s face when things are going swimmingly, when material blessings abound and we seem to be protected from the vicissitudes faced by others. But in the blackness of discouragement, when we are harassed and downcast, we may indeed turn to the Lord and acknowledge our helplessness apart from his grace; we may do so knowing that God is a compassionate God and that Jesus’ compassion was particularly directed toward the harassed and the helpless.” -D A Carson
The disciples frowned on the actions of these parents. They perceived them as frivolous and rebuked those approaching Jesus. They saw these parents as being troublesome and a bother, instead of seeing them with the eyes of Jesus. We are never to discourage any well-meaning soul willingly seeking the Lord Jesus. No one is ever a nuisance to Him. It displeases Jesus when we turn away any person who is seeking Him. He remains ever ready to receive them!

Take It to Heart

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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