Jesus, Children, & Disciples | Matthew 19:13-15

Introduction: One of things we learn to do as we study the Bible is ask good questions. Asking good questions of the Bible is especially important because the Bible is no ordinary book. You and I do things that, at times, defy logic. We do things that don’t make much sense — that have no conscious purpose. But not God. God never says anything or does anything without it having a perfect purpose. When we find something located in a particular place in God’s Word, there’s a reason. God’s Word is perfect. His Spirit led the men who wrote it in such a way that what they wrote were God’s very words, and every part of it has purpose. So, when we leave a section in which Jesus has said some very hard things to accept (even his own disciples are skeptical), and when we are headed to the account of another encounter in which someone walks away because Jesus said some very hard things to accept (the rich young ruler), maybe we have found our explanation for what we see here about Jesus and children. Why does the Spirit of God, why does Matthew, retain this for us? After all, parents bringing their children to Jesus for prayer, and the disciples not wanting that, and Jesus overruling them, might otherwise seem like travel log. Relatively unimportant. Remember that chapter 18 BEGAN with a call to humility, and a call to carefulness, making use of a child (18:1-6). Now, having spoken truth that requires HUMILTY AND TRUST if one is going to submit to it; and headed toward the account of the rich young ruler who must HUMBLE HIMSELF AND LOSE HIMSELF IN TRUST to the Son of God if he is to be saved; it is not surprising that Jesus demonstrates His love for children, and illustrates with children yet again — the truth that you must become like a child if you are to belong to Christ. WHAT IS ON DISPLAY IN EACH OF THESE ENCOUNTERS IS NOT JUST THE WISDOM OF JESUS — IT IS THE GOODNESS OF JESUS. Jesus does not say HARD THINGS because He’s cruel. Rather, in a CRUEL WORLD, Jesus says things that (though they seem harsh) are truly loving. ALL LOVE IS NOT LOVE. GOD’S LOVE IS LOVE. This world is full of hate in the name of love. God’s love for His people does not masquerade. It comes to them honestly and tells them what they might not want to hear — but perfectly good designs stand behind every word. IT IS LOVE THAT IS SO TRUTHFUL THAT IT SOMETIMES STARTLES. BUT IT IS LOVE SO TENDER THAT IT CHERISHES CHILDREN. These same hard sayings also TEST THE LISTENER. Jesus said at the end of His teaching about divorce and remarriage, that not everyone could accept what He says. He draws a line between the people who have the capacity to receive truth and those who don’t. Between the children of God, and the children of this world. Once again, making use of children, Jesus explains how we must become if we are to receive what He says. ***SO, IT IS THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST — THE ONE WHO HAS JUST SPOKEN THESE HARD SAYINGS — THAT IS ONLY DISPLAY IN THIS NEXT SCENE. AND IT IS THE CHARACTER OF A KINGDOM CITIZEN THAT IS ON DISPLAY IN THIS NEXT SCENE.*** Christ has chosen a perfect illustration. Perhaps it is true to say that one of the clearest indications of the difference between righteousness and wickedness is how one regards children. When spiritual awakening takes place, the hearts of fathers turn to their children. ESV Luke 1:17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." In our own culture we have witnessed a disregard for children that has accompanied our free fall into sin. Abortion Disregard for the purity and protection of children. The taking advantage of children to advance adult perversions. The indoctrination of children with philosophies and immoral ideologies CHILDREN SUFFER IN A WORLD THAT REBELS AGAINST GOD. IN OUR VERSES, Parents are bringing their children to Jesus for blessing. Mark and Luke use an imperfect verb to indicate that parents continued to come. Mar 10:13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. Luk 18:15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. Luke uses another to indicate that the disciples were continuing to rebuke these parents (Luke describes that with an imperfect verb also). Why does Matthew include this? What are we meant to learn? We will examine this under three headings. (1) The desire of parents (2) The discouragement from disciples (3) The determination of Jesus. • THE DESIRE OF PARENTS (vs.13a)