Luke - Let the Children Come

Luke 18:15  And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  

They rebuked the parents who brought their children to Jesus. To rebuke, is to criticize sharply, to turn back or keep down, to show strong disapproval, why? Did they think Jesus was too busy? Maybe too important for children? They had a lot to learn.  

Luke 18:16  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:17  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.  

Suffer little children to come to me; let them come unto me for of such is the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is children? Yes, children of God with the trust, faith, and dependence on God as have natural children.  Children have innocent trust and they surrender to those who keep them. This makes the responsibility of a parent important as unto God. For God loves the little children. We as parents are to bring them up with the love of God, teaching them the stories of the Bible and living out the good life as Jesus lived. To say that we will not train a child in the things of God, and to wait until he is old to decide? That is to say, God is not important. It is to hand him over to the world and it's evil. Beware of how you treat one of these little ones, Jesus says that they are as those in the kingdom of heaven. Yes, a child who dies will be in the kingdom of heaven, for they are innocent until the age that they understand and can choose between good and evil. We must be as children in trusting in Jesus, without debate or strife. Simple trust is all that is required; so hard for some who are wise in their own eyes. Like the self righteous, the proud cannot please God. We must be able to receive as do the little children.  

Mark 9:42  And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.