“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:13-15
I’ve borrowed this photograph from the wall next door. It’s a black and white photo showing the Sunday School here at Penuel long, long ago. How we would love to see so many children gather here each week to hear the good news about Jesus and His love for each one of us.
Today, we are looking at a scene from the Bible, in Mark chapter 10. In this story it was one of those busy days when people crowded around the Lord Jesus, asking Him questions. Jesus had been answering some very important questions. Sometimes He answered them from the Old Testament part of the Bible. Sometimes He answered them with His own words, which are also the Word of God.
The grown-up talk was suddenly interrupted by children’s voices. The disciples looked and saw them coming, running, skipping and jumping. Some of the grown-ups were carrying babies.
“Surely they were not coming to Jesus?” they thought. “We have been talking about such important matters. They must not interrupt.” Perhaps they even spoke to one another about it, saying, “We mustn’t allow those children to bother Him. He has had such a busy day. He won’t want to see children.”
The disciples quickly decided to do something about it. One may have said, “Stop right here, you must not bother Jesus. Jesus is too busy.” Another may have said. “He hasn’t time to be bothered with children. Take your babies away. You must go now.”
Quickly the Lord Jesus stepped out from the crowd. He spoke sharply to the disciples. “Let the children come to Me.” Jesus demanded. “Do not turn them away. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who come to Me, as they have come. Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child receives it shall not enter in.”
The Lord Jesus loves children, they are very, very important to Him. He wants you to come to Him. Of course, you cannot run to Him as these children did. You come to Him asking Him to forgive your sin and take charge of your life. He wants you to come, for He loves children very much. Indeed, when He died on the cross, He was dying for boys and girls as well as for grown-ups.
The disciples stood back. They watched as the Lord Jesus reached out toward the little ones. He picked them up in His loving arms. Others crowed around Him. Mothers may have held out their babies close to him to touch them. What a welcome! Those children could see that Jesus, the Son of God, loved them. The disciples didn’t think they mattered, but the Lord Jesus did.
The joy of knowing Christ as our Saviour
Most of you know my love of playing sport, especially when I was younger. Rugby was my main sport and I used to train nearly every day, focused on the game on Saturday, to score the perfect try. When this happened there was an instant joy, but it faded over time.
But when you accept the Lord as your saviour there will be a joy that never fades. It is an everlasting joy. That is why it is so important to meet – to be reminded of this at Sunday services, Bible study and prayer meetings, Good News Clubs and chapel Youth Clubs. We can encourage, support and pray for each other. You too, can know that you are special to Him if you come to Him and trust Him as your Saviour. He says, “Let the children come to Me.” Will you accept this invitation?
The need of a Saviour
God created a perfect world for us to live in. However, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they brought sin into the world. Does anyone know what sin is?
Yes, that’s right – everything we think, say or do that breaks God’s law.
Each of us has sinned. Each of us is in need of a Saviour. Many people think doing good deeds is enough to get us into heaven. But heaven is God’s home. It is a perfect place and we are imperfect. There is now way we can get to heaven by being good and helping others. Of course, those things are important, but we need to know Jesus and accept Him as our Saviour.
So, how do sinful people have a relationship with a perfect, pure God and get to live one day in heave, a perfect place with no sin? Well, God had a rescue plan!
God the Father sent His only Son Jesus into this world. The Lord Jesus lived a sinless perfect life. He came to share the good news of the Kingdom of God with people. He then suffered and died on the cross of Calvary for our sins, taking the punishment we deserve. On the third day He rose again, conquering death. Later, He went back to heaven, where He now lives. All this is true, historical fact which you can read about in the Bible. Every word of the Bible is true.
Jesus came to bring light into the world, to save us from the darkness of sin. In John chapter 3, verse 16 Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Do you believe that?
I’m so glad Jesus said “whoever believes in Him.” That means He is speaking to me, and to you too. He loves everyone and wants everyone to have a special relationship with Him, to trust Him and put Him first in our lives.
This means that anybody who believe and trusts in God and turns away from their sin and repents, will be accepted by Jesus. They will be saved. John chapter 3 verse 17 says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Lasting joy can be yours if you know the Lord as your Saviour. If you do not know Jesus as your Saviour, as the light who shines in the darkness and takes away sin, you can know Him right now. After the service, you are welcome to ask any of the people who love coming to Penuel each week, and they would love to tell you more about Jesus.
Penuel Baptist Chapel, Roch 