People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Child mortality rates in Jesus' time were staggering. Estimates are that 30 percent of children did not survive past infancy and that 60 percent died by the time they were sixteen. Children were generally not recognized as part of the community until puberty, when their survival was reasonably assured. No wonder the disciples felt that Jesus was wasting His time with children. Who could be less important? They had no influence, no merit, and no privilege - not even a reasonable certainty of life itself.
Yet Jesus reprimanded those who tried to keep Him from blessing babies. These "least of the least" were of utmost importance to Jesus. He even said that the kingdom of God belonged to people like those children. The children came to Jesus empty-handed and powerless, yet eager for His blessing. The disciples thought them unworthy. But what could we say or do or give to Jesus that could possibly be worth a blessing from the holy Son of God? Anyone who thinks he or she has something of value to give to God in order to buy his or her way into heaven is wrong. The only key to the kingdom of God is God's extravagant grace.
Prayer: Lord, Jesus, like a child, I have nothing to offer You, except my trust in Your grace. May You bless me and keep me in Your heart. Help me to come to you as a child, empty-handed and powerless but eager for Your blessing. And help me to encourage all the children in my life to know You and love You more! In Your precious name, Lord Jesus, Amen
* This devotion taken from The Sanctuary for Lent 2016 by Sue Mink
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