And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

1) Why would the disciples rebuke people for bringing their children to Jesus? What does this reveal about their attitudes toward children?
The text doesn’t specifically say why the disciples were rebuking people. Earlier in the chapter, it talks about the fact that large crowds were following Jesus. It could be that the disciples simply wanted to protect Jesus’s time. Perhaps they thought that He should have been teaching or healing rather than blessing children. Whatever their reasons, it is evident that the disciples didn’t believe that the children were worth Jesus’s time or attention.

2) What does it mean to “receive the kingdom of God like a child”?
This phrase refers to the type of faith it takes to be saved. Childlike faith is humble and unpretentious, and is pure in that it has no hidden motives. True saving faith is like that. Those who fail to come to God with humility (who believe that they have something to offer God in exchange for their salvation) do not have the kind of faith that will save. They are ultimately trusting in themselves, instead of having faith that only Christ can save them. Jesus was using these children as an example to us.

3) How did Jesus treat the children?
Jesus physically touched the children, taking them into His arms. He blessed them, speaking words of goodwill over them. He gave them His precious time and attention, because they were valuable, and because children have much to teach us.

1) Why would the disciples rebuke people for bringing their children to Jesus? What does this reveal about their attitudes toward children?
The Kingdom of Heaven is an upside-down kingdom, where the first shall be last and the last shall be first. As Christians, living in this heavenly kingdom, we have a responsibility to treat those whom the world considers be less important, as worthy of our best. What group of people (or specific person) have you neglected to serve, because they seem unworthy to you? Ask God to reveal how He would have you serve “the least of these.”

2) What does it mean to “receive the kingdom of God like a child”?
True saving faith is childlike, in that it is humble and only seeks to glorify God. Praise God that He made salvation so easy to attain! We are the ones who try to complicate the work He has done by adding to the requirements of salvation. God, help us to eagerly accept the gift of salvation with faith like a child.

3) How did Jesus treat the children?
Jesus took the time to touch and bless the children. Are there children in your life that deserve more of your attention? Could you help out in the church nursery, or babysit for free so a young couple could go on a date? Could you schedule some one-on-one time with your nieces, nephews, or grandchildren? Or perhaps it’s your own children who need to feel your physical affection and hear words of blessing from you. This week, seek ways to treat children the way Jesus treated them.

Don’t miss today’s other Journey Study, Desperately Wanted
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Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

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Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

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