Day 86

Luke 18:15–17 (NIV)

¹⁵ People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Why would they disciples rebuke the parents from bringing their children to Jesus? Is there anyone we keep from Jesus?

What are the qualities of a child Jesus is talking about needing to have the Kingdom?

Notes

see Luke 9:47-48 so the disciples have not gotten the lesson from Chapter 9. They still see the world from the their point of view not God's. Children were not viewed as important in terms of taking a leaders time when there were others around (like the rich ruler in the next section) who were more valued.

vs 15- the babies is more specific than the other places this account is found. Babies had a high mortality rate. parents would be very eager for the blessing of a healer such as Jesus, even if they thought that was all He was.

rebuke is a strong word. The disciples couldn't believe that these parents would waste the Christ's time with babies!

vs 16-17 Jesus does more than remind the disciples of Chap 9's statement. He goes on to use the children as an example of how we should be towards God. What are the qualities of child-likeness Jesus is meaning? Total Dependence, Trust, faith that a parent will provide. Also I think acceptance of people without preconceived notions of who they are. These qualities Jesus has talked about and now uses children to illustrate.

vs 17- what Jesus says is a stern warning to all, especially the disciples who kept the children from coming, that we must come to God with the qualities of a child. Jesus action of receiving the children even though the disciples didn't feel they should be allowed near Him is a representation of what the Pharisees were doing to people. If you were a "sinner" you didn't deserve God. Only people like the Pharisees deserved God. Jesus in his telling the children to come is doing the same thing he has said to the "so called sinners". Jesus is reminding the disciples not to turn into Pharisees. (12:1)

This section sets up the next section well. It is all about who can come to God. What are the requirements for eternal life?