Jesus Blessed the Children
Pray
Begin with prayer, opening your heart to God’s Word and Spirit.
Read Mark 10:13-16
The Little Children and Jesus
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Reflect
As we travel on with Jesus this week, we will explore his encounters with various people on the journey: parents and children, a sinful woman, a Samaritan leper, a wealthy man, a tax collector and a blind man. Note the different ways Jesus will teach those he meets, how he will teach them about himself and about faith. Notice, too, the grateful responses as lives are changed. We start this week with people who brought children to Jesus. Culturally, children were not thought to be important, so when they were brought to him, the disciples rebuked the people. Jesus not only received them, he blessed them, conferring on them a status not seen before. He used the least of them to teach the true meaning of faith.
Closing prayer
Father, just like children, help us to recognize our dependence on you. Help us to put aside everything we think makes us worthy and joyfully receive what your Son Jesus has freely done for us. Amen.