The Overlooked Group Series

Luke 18: 15 – 17

The Overlooked Group

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

The Gospel writers Matthew and Mark also reported on this same incident so let’s also see what they wrote.

Mark 10: 13 – 16, “13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Matthew 19:13-15, “13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.”

Today’s topic [children] is a major one for me. Over 28 years ago after asking Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, I started attending a bible believing and teaching fellowship. I was so excited about being a child of God that I wanted to serve Him now where and no matter what service. So, the leader of this fellowship said to me, ‘How would you like to be a part of the clean up crew?’ At this time I was a Mr. Big Shot. I was a Postmaster of a huge facility with 120 employees. Me be in charge of cleaning up? Absolutely, where and when do I start.

For about 6 months I joined a great group of guys who cleaned up this catering hall where this fellowship was gathering for Sunday Services. They called me ‘wheels’ because I quickly took over stacking chairs and wheeling them out of the way so we could vacuum the who building. I never realized the after effects of wedding receptions until I started cleaning up the morning after. But anyway, after awhile I wanted to do more. The Pastor asked me if I would oversee the children. My answer, ‘I would be honored.’

Now 28 years later the Lord has allowed me to still minister to around 4000 kids each week at our church. So, I guess to can now understand why this subject hits straight at my heart.

I find it amazing that some Churches have various services where they advertise, ‘No Childcare’. Stop and think how stupid this is? By doing this, you are excluding a good portion of your church adults and children. You have single parents and kids that want to be fed and as a church leader you take a position of denying any service to minister to kids. I can understand that there is a great shortage in servants but what the heck, have you ever heard of praying. If you can find even just a couple of faithful servants you can minister. You can hold the infants while you put on some video’s, hand out crafts, etc. Wow! Come on people.

I find it very interesting that Luke writes that the little children are infants. To a large degree the parents wanted our Lord to bless their children much like adults do today. So, let’s take a look at these verses.

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

This incident in one way stands by itself, but it is actually introductory to what follows, for it pronounces on how anyone must enter Jehovah Elyon – The Lord Most High’s - Kingdom.

At certain feasts it was a recognized thing that children could be brought to the Rabbis to be blessed, but this was not a special time and the disciples knew how tired The Lord Jesus was and what little opportunity He had had for rest. And so they rebuked the mothers for seeking to bother our Master Jesus. Do you think that the apostles would have so rebuked Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, if he had come again to see our Great King Lord Jesus? They had still not learned the true meaning of greatness.