Today we close out this week on teaching our kids what love is. I know some of the teachings we have looked at from Jesus this week are some of the toughest ones, but isn’t it fascinating that the overall theme of those is still love? Why? Because loving like God loves, in this world, is never going to be easy. That’s why we made a conscious choice to look at the truth about love from the Christian worldview, not the religious worldview or the world’s. So, in light of this, today, we’re going to close out the week on a lighter note from a story about Jesus and how He feels about kids…
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. (Matthew 19:13-14 NLT)
Can you picture this scene? Well-meaning parents wanting this Teacher and Healer to pray for their kids. Imagine them running up to Jesus, ready to jump in His lap. But the disciples suddenly decide to become a security team and block them from bothering Him. But the kids don’t get rebuked, the disciples do. Then what He says surprises everyone: “Don’t stop them. In fact, you need to act like this with Me.” And the prayer and the blessing happened, just as the parents had hoped.
Here's the passage in the New Life Bible …
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray for them. The followers spoke sharp words to them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me. Do not stop them. The holy nation of heaven is made up of ones like these.” He put His hands on them and went away. (Matthew 19:13-14 NLV)
The holy nation of heaven is made up of people who are childlike in their love. Wow.
Do you love your kids? Of course you do. So take them to Jesus. Do you want them to understand love, real love? Of course you do. So take them to Jesus. Do you want them to be able to know authentic, sincere, vulnerable, unconditional love, to be able to receive and to give? Take them to Jesus. Pray for them. Talk to them about Him. Read His words to them. Make Him a part of their lives and He will show them His love.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, sometimes I forget that You made my kids. You gave me my kids. So no one loves them more than You. Teach me to teach them Your love and help me to love them like You do. As above, so below.”