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Luke 18 15-17 TO RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS A LITTLE CHILD 01 Humility from the child
📖 Luke 18:15-17
23Sep2020 - *Humility from the child* - _Luke 18:15-17_ - TO RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS A LITTLE CHILD 1 – Bible reading: _Mark 10:13-16_
We have completed the study of _Luke 18:9-14_, under the topic of, *The journey of humility*. We now begin a new study, of _Luke 18:15-17_. We will title this passage, TO RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS A LITTLE CHILD.
_Luke 18:15-17 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. (16) But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. (17) Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."_
The parallel rendering in Mark gives us the additional information that Jesus took the little children up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. This is indeed beautiful. _Mark 10:13-16 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, laid His hands on them, and blessed them._
Let us begin by first looking at the disciples. Why were the disciples rebuking and dissuading people from bringing children to Jesus? This was a deep-rooted attitude of the heart, which exists even today. The perspective or worldview that children are not important. We live in a shattered world, where children are the ones who suffer terribly from the evils of society. Inversely, the society/community that takes care of her children will experience growth and development.
Let take a look at the prophecy regarding John the Baptist. _Luke 1:16-17 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. (17) He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, *'TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN,'* and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."_
John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for the Lord and the preparation for the Lord would be by turning the heart of the fathers to the children. It is only when fathers, specifically, and society as a whole, will learn to receive children, that we will well and truly be prepared for the Lord.
What is the issue here with the fathers and with society in general? We understand this deep-seated standpoint from the following interaction between Jesus and His disciples. _Matthew 18:1-2 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (2) Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,_
The problem with all of us is this jostling, pushing and shoving that goes on within us and amongst us to stamp our place. We have this deep itch in us that *I must be seen as someone significant*.
How did Jesus address this issue? He placed a child in the midst of them. It is the child in the midst of us, who will set our perspectives right. Children are actually the ones who protect us (from ourselves) and it is not the other way around. If we do not have children amongst us, we will burn ourselves in this pursuit of self-aggrandization.
Children teach us the lesson of humility. They are therefore precious for us, for our societies.
*Thought to ponder*
```How do you value children?```