DCLM Daily Manna Monday 27 May 2024
TOPIC: Learn From Children
TEXT: Luke 18:15-17 (KJV)
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
KEY VERSE
“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:16
DCLM Daily Manna 27 May 2024 MESSAGE
It was a custom in Israel for mothers to present their children to the Jewish rabbis or teachers to bless them.
However, the disciples of Jesus thought this was inappropriate because they felt He was too important or too busy to be bothered with little children. They were irritated that mothers kept coming to see Jesus with their children. To them, the children were not important enough to fill the already crowded schedule of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the face of it, these all sounded reasonable, but not to Jesus. When He realised what His disciples were doing to the children and their mothers, “He was much displeased” with them.
READ DCLM Daily Manna Sunday 26 May 2024 – How Hospitable Are You?
Christ instructed the disciples to allow little children to be brought to Him without hindrance. He explained to them that children, by their natural disposition, best portray the necessary characteristics befitting of the kingdom of God. They are innocent and without guile; trusting and obedient, and do not know what it means to be worried or anxious. He then stressed that anyone who desires to spend eternity with God must imbibe these necessary attributes of little children.
Christian parents should learn to deliberately introduce their children to Christ and encourage them to build and maintain a life-long relationship with Him. The church and leaders must devote sufficient time and resources to help develop these children in the way of the Lord. Again, believers should crave to imbibe the childlike attitudes of trust and faith in God. That way, they will gladly receive His word and freely follow His guidance. Like little children, we should be confident that God knows what is best for us and that He will give it to us in due course.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There is no room for anxiety in an innocent and trusting heart.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Amos 6-9
