Let the Little Children Come

Context

In many ways, the focus on Luke 18 has been to describe the nature of faith. The first eight verses make clear that true faith is tested. While we wait for the Lord to return and execute justice, the people of God are called to wait faithfully. The promise we have to sustain us is the certainty that when Christ returns, He will make all things right for His people.

In verses 9-14, we saw that the kind of faith that is acceptable to God is characterized by humility. The tax collector referenced in the passage, though in the temple to pray, could not bring himself to even be near the other worshippers in the room. He could not lift his eyes up to heaven. His approach to God was clothed in his sense of unworthiness. God be merciful to me a sinner was all he could say, but Jesus praised this humility and made clear this posture towards God is an essential ingredient to faith and ultimately required for justification.

As we move into verses 15-17, a similar theme is presented. Unlikely candidates of divine favor, at least in the eyes of many that were listening to Jesus that day are featured, namely children. We are used to thinking of children with a sense of innocence, trustfulness, humility and tenderness (not always). This was not the dominant understanding of children in the ancient world. In Judaism, women and children derived their position in society primarily in relation to adult males. As one commentator put it:

The Gospel according to Luke

“The testimony that the NT devotes to children, though modest, is itself one witness for them in the ancient world, which pays little attention to boys and girls other than as a social group that must be brought to adulthood through training and obedience.” (Bovon)

And another said

Luke Receiving Children and Childlike Faith (18:15–17)

In ancient culture, children could be seen but not heard. They were left on society’s fringe until they were old enough to be useful.

Now, it appears that what was happening here was not the first time children were being brought to Jesus. Getting behind the grammar of how verse 15 begins, it seems that the adults that were bringing the babies of Jesus was somewhat common. Regardless of what was culturally appropriate, what risk of judgement from the crowd might have been connected to the act of bringing babies to Jesus for His blessing, people were doing it. And Jesus approved, and He did not hesitate to use this as an opportunity to make clear the value of children and the example they provide to inform our understanding of faith.

Keep in mind the words with which Jesus concluded the previous passage:

Luke 18:14 (ESV)

… For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

With the theme of humility in mind, let’s read our text.

Luke 18:15–17 (ESV)

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Introduction

FCF

Main Idea

Main Question

The failure of the disciples (15b)

The parents were bringing their children (infants is the word in v. 15) to Jesus. We know from the other gospel accounts of this event that the reason the parents brought their children to Jesus was so that He might lay His hands on them.

We know that it was practice among the Jewish people to bring their children to the priest for a blessing on the Day of Atonement.

But, the disciples reject the parents’ effort to bring their kids to Jesus. Why? They thought either

Jesus can’t be bothered with children in light of His more important work.

They (the disciples) cannot be bothered with children in light of what they thought was more important work.

It seems that the disciples had come to think of themselves as important people among Israel.

Something to keep in mind as we continue to work through the Gospel of Luke is the fact that Luke addressed this letter to a person.

Luke 1:1–4 ESV

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

We can’t spend too much time here, but Luke makes his aim clear to Theophilus: that you have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

And what Jesus is making clear here is that if you are a follower of Him, we will be concerned that children are pointed to Jesus. I suggest that regardless of whether we have children or not, married or not, empty nesters or not, we as part of the local church should have a concern to be engaged in some way shape or form in the work of pointing children to Jesus. Of supporting parents’ efforts to teach the gospel to their kids. We need to be praying for our children. Loving our children. Supporting the parents among us.

Philippians 2:5–6 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

When we enter the kingdom of God, we become children ourselves. We become children of God.

The disciples make a serious error here. Jesus made this clear in the previous chapter.

Luke 17:2 ESV

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

What the disciples needed to understand was that the mark of God grace upon them was not primarily the fact that they had been granted the position of an Apostle or the gifts they possessed, but that they themselves had become children of God.

Perhaps what will help you and I keep the priority of children in view, is to keep in mind that the gift of our salvation means that we are children of God. Adopted into His family. Made part of His kingdom.

So that’s the error of the disciples. There is also

The desire of the parents (15a)

As we already noted, the parents brought to Jesus that He might touch them. His touch was a distinguishing element of His ministry. Often it was connected to His healing power.

Here, what is clear is that the parents desired Jesus to bless their children, but what was this blessing.

James Edwards, in his commentary of Luke’s gospel said this:

The Gospel according to Luke The Kingdom and the Dispossessed (18:15–17)

here he blesses an especially undistinguished element of Jewish society—children.

What we need to know here is the perspective that society had on children in Jesus’ day. Children should be seen and not heard was some of what defined this perspective. Children were potential assets. They were raised to be contributors to society,. and until they were contributors to society, they were of little value. That was the general perspective.

But parents are parents no where or when you are. We know that Jesus was not governed by what the culture said was appropriate or expected. Here, Jesus touches the children and conveys His blessing upon them. This demonstrates His commitment to children, and declared that the kingdom of God is not for adults only.

I will quickly note that many paedopabtists do not believe that this passage is a proof text for paedobaptism. I don’t think any text in Scripture is a proof text for paedobaptism, but what Jesus does here was significant. What the disciples did in their rejection of the efforts of the parents was indicative of the culture’s understanding of children.

But think more of what the parents were doing. They were bringing their children to Jesus. They were not bringing their children to another rabbi. Not another, more known, more respected religious leader. They were coming to Jesus with their kids. Jesus, who was trained to be a carpenter. Jesus who was from Nazareth from where nothing good came. There was a belief that only could provide the blessing they were seeking.

Holding my dads hand on the boardwalk

Parents bring your kids to Jesus. Church, bring our church kids to Jesus. Easy to say, but what does that look like?

I praise the Lord for the strong presence in our church of parents who are devoted to raising a godly heritage. Parents who take seriously their responsibility to not only provide for their children, educate their children but teach their kids the gospel. Regular presence in church among the body of Christ. Family devotions.

And let’s help each other remember that there is no substitute for the hand of Jesus. Sports, academic achievement, community service, friendships all have their place in the lives of kids, but they can never fulfill the need we all possess. We come to God spiritually destitute, and He alone satisfies us. As we continue in life, on He possess what we need to continue to live God-honoring lives.

We can entrust ourselves, our kids, one another to the care and leading of Christ; our Shepherd, our Priest, Our King and our God.

So as I suggested earlier, Jesus does address issues related to ministering to children in this text. We’ve seen those issues addressed in verse 15. As we move into verses 16 and 17, Jesus makes, what I suggest is the main point in these three verses regarding disciples of Christ. So now, let’s consider

The response of the Savior (16-17)

Jesus responds to the exchange between His disciples and the parents in verse 16. What Luke does not tell us, but what Mark does make clear is that Jesus responds to His disciples with indignation. That His disciples rebuked these parents angered Jesus.

Now notice in verse 16 that Jesus refer to the kids as children. In verse 15, Luke refers to the children as infants. These are two different words in Greek. The one in verse 15 does mean infants and the one in verse 16 does mean little children. The point here is that both infants and children are to come to Jesus. Are to be brought to Jesus. Are to be pointed to Jesus.

My Grandchildren and that I tell them the gospel.

Continuing in verse 16, Jesus commands that the children be permitted to come and that no one get in the way of their coming and then gives the reason why: for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Again, James Edwards

The Gospel according to Luke The Kingdom and the Dispossessed (18:15–17)

Jesus does not bless the children for their virtues, but for their deficits

The such in verse 16 is meant to identify the quality necessary to receive the kingdom. We, all of us are spiritually destitute. We are as dependent on God for salvation as infants are on their parents for their lives.

When confronted with this reality, we receive kingdom grace with humility. That’s the only way to receive it.

Jesus is saying, to all who are like these children belongs the Kingdom of God. As empty handed as little children are, we all are the same when it comes to receiving God’s favor. We bring nothing, but God brings us in.

Remember how Jesus answered His disciples when they asked Him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven

Matthew 18:3 ESV

and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

And this is the bottom line that is spelled out in verse 17. If anyone is going to enter into the kingdom of God, a recognition of our complete dependence upon God for that entry is required. Jesus has secured all that is needed to enter on our behalf.

A Word to Kids

Remember that the adults in your lives; your parents, grandparents whoever takes care of you and whoever provides you with any kind of oversight. Remember the adults in your life need Jesus, and God can use you to help them remember their need for God. We all need Jesus. We are all dependent upon Jesus. And it’s only through Jesus that we can enter His kingdom.