Do Disciples ever get it wrong?

Mark 10:13-16

READ Scripture Mark 10:13-16

Mark 10:13–16 NLT

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

In our scripture today, one day some random parents decide they want to take their children to be touched and blessed by Jesus.

I posed this question on my Facebook this week, Why did you decide to get your child baptized or dedicated. What was the thought process that went behind?

I got a few answers, a few comments on the issue of infant baptism vs. dedication, one said they felt obligated as it was the thing to do but a couple of people felt like they wanted to honour God and were dedicated to bringing up their children to know who Jesus is. One felt like it was extra protection. Nevertheless, each parent wanted Jesus to do something in the life of their child.

Talk about the connection between being in this church and when things like this get talked about it brings up so many memories. I am here today because of infant dedication, share the story

When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. Did you catch that? Jesus was angry with his disciples, not the Pharisees, not the parents, not the children, Jesus was angry with the disciples because they were hindering the children, hindering the parents.

Pick up on the fact that we too sometimes get it wrong. Children bring an innocence to a worship service, they bring their truth, their reality. They’re not sure if Jesus is going to do what he says he is going to do, they bring that. If they are having a meltdown because their pull-up is on backwards, they own it and bring it. If they are hungry, they bring their snacks but they are real and don’t mask how they are feeling and I pray that they always leave this building wanting to come back because they know they are loved by us but more importantly that Jesus loves them.

Jesus received the children. He laid his hands on them and blessed them. This is a very powerful description of Jesus. The image of Jesus's hand covering their head and the blessing running down to completely cover them. When I was leaving PEI to come back to Ontario, Pastor Dave, laid hands on me.

talk about how it felt.

Close with a time of prayer, laying on of hands and anointing with oil.