2. JESUS BLESSES LITTLE Mark 10:13-16 (Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17) 13 And they were bringing unto him little children,--Luke (Luke 18:15) says: "Their babes." The mothers of the children were doubtless the ones who carried them to Jesus. The children no doubt were of different ages, hence they are spoken of as "little children" and "babes." that he should touch them:--Matthew (Matthew 19:13) is more definite, "That lie should lay his hands on them, and pray." What more natural than that mothers should desire this blessing from the gentle-faced and sweet-voiced Galilean teacher? Here incidental testimony is borne to a high appreciation of him in this part of Perea. "He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them." (Verse 16.) Jesus did for the children that for which they were brought. He did not baptize them, neither did he sprinkle water upon them. They were not brought to him for that purpose. and the disciples rebuked them.--Rebuked those who brought the children. The disciples had engaged the Savior in a very interesting discussion of the law of marriage, and were listening eagerly to his sayings, therefore, it seemed to them a waste of time to turn from such discussions to the needs of little children. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me;--Their rebuke was to those who brought them, but Jesus regarded it as word of refusal to the little ones. He not only has no complaint to make of those who have come, but he wishes the way to be open for all others to come who so desire. Luke (Luke 18:16) tells in addition that he called to him the little ones who had been hindered by the angry voices of the disciples. forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. --The kingdom of God requires innocence, purity, docility, submission in its votaries and possessors. These were just the traits belonging to the ideal child. To have the kingdom of God is to get close to Christ, and these were just the ones who might well be close against his bosom. Jesus is always made indignant by whatever comes between a child and him. Beware how you oppose any movement of a child toward Jesus! Some children are ready to obey the Lord much earlier in life than many suppose. It depends upon the instruction the child has received as to the time of its readiness of obedience. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God--The principles of the gospel--the new dispensation by Christ, or the reign of Christ as a mediator--in their hearts. (Luke 7:21.) Receiving the kingdom of God and entering into it are two separate and distinct acts. Receiving it precedes entering into it, and means no more than accepting its principles. This a little child does with an implicit faith from the time that its understanding is sufficiently developed. as a little child,--Simple trusting faith, quick repentance, ready and implicit obedience, readiness to be led, transparent frankness. These are all qualities of the ideal child, and they are also of the true Christian. he shall in no wise enter therein.--There is a caution here to his disciples. They were not cherishing the right spirit. They were selfish, and rudely tyrannical; needed to love the children more, that they might imbibe the childlike spirit. We can only enter the kingdom by receiving Christ and his laws in a proper spirit. This verse shows that the meek, humble, and childlike disposition implied in the preceding verse is essential to true discipleship. The kingdom, as a principle in the heart, is unfolded and developed into the fellowship of Christ's manifestation. All pride, vanity, and self-sufficiency must be laid aside. Childlike, we must do just as Jesus tells us, if we would become Christians. 16 And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.--He goes beyond the mothers' expectations. They were expecting Jesus to do as others--put his hands upon their heads, as they stood or were carried before him. But as gently as a mother he takes them in his arms. It was a plain, simple act, but it spoke volumes to the hearts of those mothers.