Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that Jesus could put his hands on them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people that are like these children." After Jesus put his hands on the children, he left there.
— Matthew 19:13-15
Key Thought
In a world dangerous to children, loving parents wanted to bring their children to Jesus. If he would bless them, pray for them, place his hands on them, then surely those children would be protected, healed, and blessed. Who could blame them? They had seen the amazing things Jesus had done for others. They loved their children. Jesus himself had talked about letting children come to him. Why would the disciples stop them? Maybe it's the same reason we do. We get distracted by other things and let them take us, and our children, away from the Lord. We let problems with our spouse destroy our home and crush our children's hearts. We get involved in important religious things and forget to involve our children in our spiritual journey. No matter what, Jesus' message is clear: "Quit! Quit getting in the way of the children from coming to me!" Let's not only hear his words, but let's respond to them, especially in the context they are uttered here: divorce! Let's acknowledge that so many children are kept from Jesus because of the sin and rebellion of parents to honor their marriage covenant because of their selfishness and sexual sin.
Today's Prayer
Holy Father, please make me aware of the children you have put around me that you want me to help bring to Jesus. Help me see them. Help me bring them to Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that Jesus could put his hands on them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people that are like these children." After Jesus put his hands on the children, he left there. A man came to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to have life forever?" Jesus answered, "Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have life forever, obey the commands." The man asked, "Which commands?" Jesus answered, "'You must not murder anyone, you must not do the sin of adultery, you must not steal anything, you must not tell lies about other people, you must honor (respect) your father and mother,' and 'you must love other people the same as you love yourself.' " The young man said, "I have obeyed all these things. What else do I need?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, then go and sell all the things you own. Give the money to the poor people. If you do this, you will have a rich treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me!" But when the man heard this, he was very sad. The man was very rich
Related Scripture Readings
At that time the followers came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a little child to come to him. Jesus stood the child before the followers. Then Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. You must change and become like little children
Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants. That is the right thing to do. The command says, "You must honor (respect) your father and mother." That is the first command that has a promise with it. That promise is: "Then everything will be fine with you. And you will have a long life on the earth." Fathers, don't make your children angry. But raise your children with the training and teaching of the Lord.
God wants husbands and wives to become one body and one spirit. Why? So they would have holy children. So protect that spiritual unity. Don't cheat on your wife. She has been your wife from the time you were young. The Lord God of Israel says, "I hate divorce. And I hate the cruel things that men do. So protect your spiritual unity. Don't cheat on your wife."