Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
Parents are bringing their children to Jesus so He can pray over them and bless them. The disciples, always concerned by the crowd that follows Jesus, start pushing the people back. Jesus becomes greatly displeased by this and tells His disciples to let them come. He tells them (once again) that if they would only trust and love as freely as a child, then they would see the kingdom of God unfold.
These verses are beautifully simple to interpret. Come as a child. I've spent a lot of time with kids over the years. As I write, I'm watching Ellis Raye (my youngest grandchild) take a nap. She doesn't have a care in the world. She sleeps and plays and sings, knowing when she has a need, someone will be there to meet it. Jesus is inviting us to live like that in HIM. He is upset because the disciples are pushing the crowd back, trying to close the curtains over the truest glimpse we will get of the kingdom of God--faith and trust in the One who is drawing us to Him.
We should also know that this doesn't excuse any childish behavior from us. We are called to maturity in our faith and our actions. However, we should never think we outgrow the need to reach for Jesus in complete trust. "Soldiers raise hands in surrender. Children raise hands to be picked up by their father. Christians raise hands in worship for both reasons." Pastor Mark Driscoll
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