“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with His disciples. He said to them, ‘Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’ Then He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16 NLT)
There are parents today, even some who profess faith in Christ, who refuse to bring their children to church or even allow them any Christian influence in their lives. Why would this be? Perhaps because they don’t want them to feel pressured to make a lifelong decision to follow Jesus until they’re old enough to understand what it means. Newsflash! I’m 78 and still don’t know what it all means.
To knowingly deprive a child access to knowledge of Jesus isn’t only wrong, it’s sin. It’s disobedient to the clear instruction of the Lord. The first time I heard the Gospel I was only five. My parents would take us to church at Easter and Christmas. But even at five I remember to this day hearing the Pastor inviting anyone who’s heart was drawing them to the Lord to come forward.
It may have been my first time in church, so, I was reluctant to respond, but I remember to this day sensing something I’d never felt before. The Holy Spirit speaks to children, and they know what it means. I remember my wife coming to me when my daughter was maybe six or seven years old telling me she’d prayed with our daughter to receive the Lord. My daughter had said to my wife: “I want to invite Jesus to live in my heart.”
If you’re a parent or teacher of young children, please don’t miss opportunities to read to them, sing with them, pray with them, and instruct them in how to know Jesus. But most importantly, live Jesus before them. One of the most meaningful and profound messages of the Bible is: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Jonathan Pokluda helps us see this more clearly when he writes: “If you’re not reaching the future of your church, your church has no future.”
I’m a great proponent, not only of excellent Christ-centered children’s and youth ministries at churches, but Christian Schools that are truly “Christian,” not only in their curriculum, but evidenced in the quality of their staff and teachers. My sense is even an infant can sense the love of Christ when being held by a godly person. Remember Simeon, who “took the child in His arms and praised God!” and Anna who prophesied over Jesus in the Temple when He was only an infant.
We bear a grave responsibility to bring our children up with a knowledge and understanding of the Lord and His Holy Word. As Proverbs 9:10 reminds us: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” “Fear” here can certainly mean “terror and exceeding dread,” as many will have on judgment day, but it also has reference to respect and reverence, an attitude of love of and appreciation for God.
We must maintain a healthy reverence for the Lord’s ability to snuff us out like a gnat, balanced, of course, by a strong, healthy love for His compassion and great love for us. Our children, and even those we instruct, will be as influenced by our attitude and demeanor as we interact with them as the words we use to communicate with them. Let’s inspire, encourage, and lead them to seek Jesus from an early age, after all, they are the future of the Church.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 