13 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.

14 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.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

Matthew 19:13-15 (NLT)

Next lesson

The Gospel Coalition commentary on Matthew breaks this section into different topics Jesus  teaches on. They title this next section (lesson 8), The Last Shall Be First which covers Matthew 19:13–20:19. What a better way to start this lesson than talking about children. “He begins, as recorded in Matthew 19:13–30, with the juxtaposition of the little children who come to him (19:13–15) and the rich man who refused to follow him (19:22).”(thegospelcoalition.org) In the previous chapter (Matthew 18:1-4), He addressed children. As in that teaching, He uses children as His talking point to refer to, “those who are like these children”.

Interruption

Jesus has finished teaching about marriage and singleness. One day, as they went about their business, suddenly, it seems, some children are thrust before Him by their parents to be blessed. I like how the NLT interprets this passage to make it clear that it’s parents who brought the kids – a reasonable assumption. The way it happens is the way Matthew recorded it – a seeming interruption. 

That’s certainly how the disciples see it. They are likely too wrapped up in “Jesus business” – managing the crowds, figuring out the food and accommodations for their group, setting up the next appointments, settling their own internal disputes! It’s already enough to deal with the crowds wanting to be healed. Now these parents bring their kids which adds to the stress. Can you relate?

Scolders are scolded

But Jesus, of course, sees it differently. He welcomes the kids – and scolds the disciples in the process. Jesus sees every “interruption” as an opportunity to serve and/ or teach. Matthew 20:28 explains why: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The teaching is: we must be like children to gain the Kingdom of God. This is confirmed in John 3:3 where Jesus tells Nicodemus that everyone must be born again. Also, we must be like Jesus – servants of all.

RЯeflection

• Are you like some of us who, when focused on a task, don’t like to be bothered – even to the point of being rude? Jesus was never like this. Let’s pray that our Lord will conform us more to His image as we humble ourselves and submit.

• Have you become like a child and been born again to receive the Kingdom of God? If not, click here.