Take the Children to Jesus

“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them.”
— Mark 10:13 NKJV

During Jesus’ time, it was customary for parents to take their children to the rabbis to receive a blessing. However, in Mark 10:13-16, we see the disciples turning parents away when they attempted to bring their children to Jesus. This raises the question: Why would the disciples discourage the parents and keep the children from Jesus? Their actions seem puzzling, especially since Jesus had already taught them to welcome children in His name. In Mark 9:36, Jesus warned about the seriousness of causing a child to stumble.

The disciples may have thought that children would distract the Lord from His ministry. Perhaps they forgot the heart of Jesus and how He cherished the sincere faith of children. It is possible that they neglected to trust the training—the lessons they had received from Jesus. Whatever their reasons, their actions demonstrate how easily we can lose sight of Jesus’ teachings and prioritize our own interests over God’s.

Children exemplify qualities like humility and trust, which adults sometimes lose. Authentic faith depends on approaching God with sincerity and openness, not age or intellect. We should let go of pride and complexity and come to God with the simplicity of a child.

Childlike Approach to Faith

Children are humble and are more receptive to the kingdom of God than adults. They accept things by faith without question, trusting that their parents will care for them. When we were born again, we entered the kingdom of God utterly by faith. Like children, we were helpless and totally dependent on God’s grace and mercy. To sustain us. When we had a problem, we took it to our heavenly Father. When children have a problem, they take it to their parents. In our relationship with God, we should be childlike, but not childish.

For the parents of Jesus’ time, it was a matter of sight; for parents today, it is a matter of faith. Although we no longer take our children to the physical presence of Jesus as the parents did in Galilee, we take them to Him through prayer, teaching, and by fostering an environment where faith can grow. In our homes, we invite Jesus to bless our children by teaching them about Jesus and leading them in prayer and worship. While we cannot see His hands or hear His spoken blessing, we trust—just as the parents did then—that He welcomes our children with the same love and acceptance. Our role is to lead them to Christ, confident that His Spirit is still present, powerful, and touching young hearts, drawing them into His kingdom.

Lord Jesus, I bring not only my children to You, but also all of the children of the world. I pray that You bless them and keep them safe from the evil one.