Tuesday | 05 May 2026

The King and the little children

A little while after Jesus had delivered the demoniac boy, and rebuked his father and the disciples for their unbelief, He had further cause to express His indignant displeasure at the disciples’ contrary and deluded actions. On this occasion, people were endeavouring to bring their children to Christ that He might lay hands on them and pray for them. However, the disciples rebuked these parents, forbidding them to present their children to Him.

In his Gospel, Mark recounted that when Jesus looked with fiery eyes and saw what was happening, He was greatly displeased, meaning that He was moved to indignation. He said to the disciples, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.’ Mar 10:14. He took the children up in His arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them. Mar 10:16.

In the first instance, Christ was indignant at the disciples for presuming to mediate the access of children, and indeed anyone, to Him. He was making a significant point to the disciples. The work of a messenger is to bring a hearer to Christ through the ministry of the word. They are not the arbiters, or mediators, of a hearer’s access and response to Him. Everyone is to receive and respond to the word of Christ with the humility and simplicity of a little child. As Jesus said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ Mar 10:15.

Likewise, parents must not presume to mediate a child’s access to the word of Christ as it is ministered by His messengers. They proclaim the word from His hand, and He desires to take them in His hands through this ministry. Accordingly, a parent should be teaching their children to come to Christ by hearing and receiving the proceeding word, rather than reinterpreting the word for their children, or presuming to teach them another word.