Introduction:

There is a story about a father who became disturbed about the length of time his six year old son was taking to get home from school. The father decided he would make the trip to discover for himself how long it should take his son to walk the distance. The father settled on 20 minutes but his son was still taking an hour. Finally the father decided to make the trip with his son. “The 20 minutes was right, but he failed to consider such important things as: a side trip to track down a trail of ants — or an educational stop to watch a man fix a flat — or the time it took to swing around a half dozen telephone poles — or how much time it took for a boy just to get acquainted with two stray dogs and a brown cat. “In short,” the father said, “I had forgotten what it is really like to be six years old.” If we are honest this morning so do we. For some of us it will be very important to remember and for all of us with children it will certainly be helpful. Thank God he doesn’t forget as is portrait in this true story.

I. Jesus loves all the little children.

1. This morning we come to one of the most tender, sensitive, loving portions of all the Scripture. It’s our Lord blessing the little children. This passage in the Gospel of Mark brings before us two important truths. Jesus loves all the little children’ and second a child-like faith is necessary to be saved. We start with the story of the blessing of the children, found in Mark 10, beginning with Verse 13:
MK 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. [15] Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. [16] And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

a) It is a beautiful scene, which has proven to be a source a tremendous blessing to thousands of children around the world, throughout all the centuries past. It is one of the dearest passages about children.

b) Mark indicates that the disciples were trying to protect Jesus by preventing or rebuking the parents from bringing their children to him. Mark emphasizes the imperfect tense or the continuing nature of the word rebuking ( “epitimaō” e-pē-tē-mä’-ō) it is a very strong word. The practical form of this word has been used for the term punishment.” I mean, the disciples were really going after them, threatening them. “Look, you can’t be interrupting the Lord by bringing up these babies; it’s very disturbing when we’re trying to teach. We’re trying to get on with things. We can’t have this.

But, when Jesus saw it, he was indignant. In fact, the language is sharper in the Greek. He was angry, and severely reprimanded these disciples. He said, “Don’t do that; stop it! Let the children come unto me; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Now, these disciples meant well. Yet they missed the point of the need & mind of a child. This is what Jesus was correcting. These disciples thought that Jesus needed protection from bothersome children.

c) The first significant point Jesus makes is that the children needed protection from bumbling adults. So he says to the adults, “Stop hindering them, let the children come to me. Get out of their way, and let them come.” Too many parents are guilty of this sin. They punish their children by keeping them from church. The children loved him immediately, and wanted to come to him. And he indicates here so clearly that it is easy to come to Jesus when you are a child.

II. The second significant point in this passage is the qualities of childlikeness which Jesus says are absolutely necessary to enter the kingdom of God: “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” He does not go on to elaborate what these qualities are. He leaves it up to us to discover them as we look at children, for they are something every child represents. Regardless of their background or culture or race, or anything else, every child has these qualities. The commentators have had a field day trying to guess what they might be, but Jesus leaves it up to us to try to discover them.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
II Corinthians 3:19
Conclusion:

A childlike spirit is one which captures the essence of humility and faith. And a child is wonderfully teachable. Every child wants to learn, and is ready to be led. Children recognize their basic need for help and instruction, and they are wide-open, plastic, and easily molded. This is characteristic of children, and this is what Jesus meant. This child like faith is necessary for the entrance to the kingdom of heaven. Gospel / Invitation