Christian teaching

Jesus deeply loved and cared about children. He was concerned that they be honored, taken care of and ministered to (Mark 9:35-37).

Mark 10:13-16 recounts the story of when people brought them to Jesus, ranging in age from infants to preadolescent children. It says,
“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”

Children are safe in God’s hands. Indeed, as Jesus said, the kingdom of God belongs to them. And because this is so, they too, not just adults, should be able to have the attention of Jesus. They too should be able to receive of what God is doing through Jesus.

How to provide this for children today is modeled for us by Jesus. When the children came to Jesus, he laid his hands on them and he blessed them. He prayed for God to watch over them and to care for them. This is how he ministered to them.

And so, as our adult followers of Jesus come forward to receive the bread and cup of the Lord’s supper, we invite all children to come forward to the front platform to be prayed for, in the name of Jesus, in order to receive a blessing from God.

William Higgins