He Blessed Them
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. Mark 10:14
This is one of the Jesus moments I have never really thought too much about. Usually when reading this passage, I take this at face value that Jesus loves children too. As I considered what this situation may have looked like in my imagination, there seems to be much more to it than that.
First of all, we read a lot about the people that came to Jesus for healing or deliverance of some kind, but in this case, people were bringing their children to receive a blessing from Jesus. This is a good thing or so you would think. Apparently, the disciples did not think it was good, nor were they going to let those with children get close enough to Jesus to receive His blessing. It doesn’t say for sure what the disciples said to the people, but I imagine it was something like: “Jesus is too busy to be bothered with your children” or “Jesus does not have time for kids’ stuff.”
Jesus, on the other hand took time for everyone that came to Him, whether for a blessing, a healing or a casting out some kind evil. It didn’t matter what a person came to Him for, He always had a plan to get them what they were after.
He does the same thing today. Mostly, we all need salvation from paying the penalty of our sin and eternal separation from our Father after we leave this world. Jesus is always ready to rescue us from this world’s hold on our lives. He is also always ready to answer other requests we have too. Just like He did for the people that followed Him in His days here in this earth, He still answers our cries now that He is at home with His Father in heaven. I am so thankful that His does! As a parent, I often bring my children to Him for His blessing. I want nothing else but His best plan for them. His blessing covers it all! Their health, their well-being, their peace and their longevity.
You can go to Him with anything you are facing today, too. Whether you are going through a personal crisis or want to have His blessing on your children, you can receive simply by asking. The only differences from then and now is that He is in heaven and His disciples are not here to stop you from getting to Him. You have complete access to Him anywhere and anytime. When you call out to Him in faith, He will always respond.
Today I want to encourage you to call out to Jesus as the answer to your struggles. If you are not currently going through anything, call out to Him for His blessing. Then bless others by calling on Him in their behalf. You can bless others as Jesus did, simply by taking them before the Lord in prayer and asking Him. It is what intercession is all about! Blessing others by bringing them before the Lord to reach into their lives with His grace.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10 13-16
13 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.
The Daily Dose 