When Jesus walked the earth, He drew crowds of people wherever He went. People wanted to hear Him speak and see the miracles that He performed.
One day, a group of parents brought their children to Jesus so that He could bless them. However, the disciples rebuked the parents and tried to turn the children away. This incident is recorded in several places in the Bible, including Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, and Luke 18:15-17.
Why did the disciples rebuke these children? At first glance, it may seem like an odd thing to do.
After all, Jesus had just finished saying that “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). However, there are a few possible explanations for their actions.
One theory is that the disciples were trying to protect Jesus from being bothered by the children. They may have thought that the children would be noisy and disruptive and detract from Jesus’ teaching. In addition, they may have felt that Jesus had more important things to do than bless children.
Another explanation is that the disciples may have been following cultural norms of the time. In Jewish society at that time, children were not held in high esteem.
They were seen as inferior to adults and were often ignored or dismissed. The disciples may have been trying to uphold these societal expectations by turning away the children.
Regardless of their motives, Jesus was not pleased with His disciples’ actions. He rebuked them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14). This statement emphasizes two important points.
Firstly, it shows us that Jesus values children just as much as adults. In fact, He says that we must become like little children in order to enter into God’s kingdom (Matthew 18:3).
Children have a simple faith and trust that is often lost as we grow older. Jesus wants us to approach Him with that childlike faith and trust.
Secondly, Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples shows us that He values all people, regardless of age or social status. He was willing to take time out of His busy schedule to bless these children and demonstrate His love for them. This is a reminder to us that we should also value and love all people, regardless of who they are or what they can do for us.
In conclusion, the disciples’ rebuke of the children coming to Jesus may have been misguided, but it ultimately served as an opportunity for Jesus to teach an important lesson about the value of children and all people. Let us remember this lesson as we interact with those around us and strive to show them the same love and respect that Jesus did.