ar
yo
wa
on
fo
usual for them to be victims of sexual crimes. Girls
could suffer rape, while in cultures such as ancient
Greece, young boys were commonly taken as lovers
by men of power and influence.
other groups, the strong moral code of Judaism
largely protected children from sexual exploitation
or gross physical abuse. The tight knit Jewish vil-
lages and communities provided a measure of both
protection and accountability for children as neigh-
bors looked after each other's children. So trust-
and Joseph were traveling back from Jerusalem,
they did not grow overly concerned that the 12�
year�old Jesus was not physically present with
them until the end of the day, when He should
have found His way back to them (Luke 2:41�51).
to annoy the adults. They were to be absolutely
deferential to their elders, speaking only when
spoken to and expected to obey quickly and with-
out resistance.
doing what they would have been expected to do �
shielding the Teacher from the irritation of high
pitched voices, squirming bodies and the unpre-
dictable behavior of children. What is cited in
Mark does not represent an isolated occasion. The
wording in the original Greek indicates that people
were continually bringing their children to Jesus.
we read of one of the few times in Scripture that
Jesus was angry (Mark 10:14).
much to imagine that, like most adults who enjoy
children, Jesus took time to laugh and to play, to
receive their flowers and return their hugs. These
were not quiet and solemn moments, but times of
holy hilarity.
come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the king-
(Mark 10:14). The Lord of life opened
His arms to children, all children. No
child is barred from Heaven because of
his parents' status, because of what he
knows or does not know, by gender or
race or appearance. The crowds that
followed Jesus were made up of all
sorts of people with worthy and unwor-
thy motives, some who sought to take
while others sought to give. It did not
matter. Jesus scooped up all their chil-
dren and held them close.
complete surprise. "I tell you the truth,
anyone who will not receive the king-
dom of God like a little child will not
A child accepts things at face value, is quick to
standing the actions of the parent, and is sponta-
neous and direct in expressions of love and trust.
Just so the person who comes to Christ must receive
all that He is, openly loving and trusting Him.
from their little darling knows they certainly are
not. It is to say that the endearing openness of the
child to his parent is the model for our openness to
our heavenly Father. We do not find eternal life by
working up to it or building a resume that com-
mends us to Him but by stooping down far enough
for the Lord to reach down, take us up and cuddle
us in His arms.
HIS ARMS, PLACED HIS HANDS
ON THEM AND BLESSED THEM.
place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked
them. 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. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the
kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."