Do not Hinder Them

Do not Hinder Them
Words of Faith 2-5-2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 10
[13] People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch 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] I tell you the truth, 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, put his hands on them, and blessed them.

This is the second time that Jesus has used a child to demonstrate something about the Kingdom. In Mark 9:36‑37, He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." The point was that the Kingdom had to do with receiving the powerless.
Now, people are bringing little children to Jesus so that He might bless them. This is where we find a reason to "dedicate children." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them. But the disciples had little patience for such distractions. They rebuked the parents. Like officious ushers at the door, they wanted to chase the children away from adult worship, but Jesus would have none of it!
The points here are powerful.
First, if your idea of ministry excludes children, it differs from Jesus' idea. Jesus welcomed children. Yes, there is a need for age-appropriate ministry, but a church that always banishes children to a far-off soundproof room is missing out on a lot! And children are missing out on a great deal.
Children need to grow up knowing they are welcomed by the Lord and the Body of Christ-- as children-- not just when they grow up! Children need to know who their Pastor is so that when a visit is made to the hospital or in a crisis, it does not come from a frightening stranger. Is this easy? By no means! Does this require patience and effort from parents and congregants? Absolutely. "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Second, we will learn significantly from children if we listen. Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." When we eliminate children from worship and fellowship, we eliminate annoying distractions, but we also eliminate a powerful source for hearing the voice of God. I learn from children all the time! We often say: "From the mouths of babes," when we realize that the un-jaded perspective of a child often speaks a Kingdom truth.
Children often remind adults not to take themselves too seriously. The stories of prophetic or just humorous children's sermons and comments are so numerous we cannot count them. God will speak through children and teach through them in powerful ways.

Lord, teach me through the children in my life, my own, and those around me. Teach me how to welcome the littlest ones that are part of Your Body. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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