Mark 10:13-16 Blessed Children

Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church

From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

Jesus’ Ministry Travels

Pray

Mark 10:13–16 ESV

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 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. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Introduction

A little over half-way through Jesus ministry

First part was Him establishing His identity for God’s people

Now He is focused on the work He must do at the Cross

These are Jesus last words, before His trial and crucifixion

In this scene, we see young children brought to Christ, that He might touch them

The disciples rebuked those that brought them

Jesus was indignant - much displeased and rebuked His disciples

Jesus took them in His arms and blessed them

Children are should be very important to Christ’s Church

The head of the Church found the time to take special notice of children

Even though he had little time left, and grown men and women were dying under God’s wrath out of ignorance, He showed that little boys and girls were important to Him

He had room in His heart for them

He showed everyone His good will toward them

Not only that, He left it on record, in the Bible, His words for them, that His church should never forget: for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

We should never neglect the souls of little children - it is not safe for them

Their character for life depends on what they see and hear during their first seven years

They are never too young to learn evil and sin, or understand religious impressions.

In their own childish ways, they think about God, their souls, and a world to come much earlier than most people are aware

They understand feelings of right and wrong much earlier than we might suppose - they have a conscience

God witnesses in their hearts, even though they are born with a lost and fallen nature

Each of them has a soul that will spend eternity in heaven or hell - we cannot start too early to teach them of Christ

Every church needs to understand these truths

It is the solemn duty of every Christian congregation to provide spiritual training to its children

Boys and girls of every family should be taught as soon as they can learn, should be brought to worship as soon as they can behave properly - should be seen with loving interest as the future of the congregation

Christ will bless all efforts to do good to children

A church is unhealthy if it neglects its younger members and excuses itself on the idea that children cannot really be trained in spiritual matters - this kind of church does not have the mind of Christ

Not all church programs for children are “healthy”

A church that believes that it cannot change children’s hearts, that leaves them to themselves in hope that God will convert them some day if He sees fit, is committing great sin

Training children is a solemn duty not only for the church, but for parents - make sure you choose a church that looks after the spiritual needs of its kids

A serious argument for baptizing children

Bear with me - I know there are different views on this

Of course there is no mention of baptism in these verses

These verses and Jesus’ actions and words here, make a strong argument in favor of baptizing babies

For this reason, this text is used by many churches in their baptismal services

The subject of infant baptism is a delicate and difficult one

Holy, godly men disagree about it. Though they read the same Bible, profess to be led by the same Spirit, they come to different conclusions about this sacrament (explain sacrament) or ordinance

A large number of Christians believe that infant baptism is Scriptural and right

A smaller number of Protestants, but one with many godly men and women among its members, believe infant baptism is unscriptural and wrong.

The difference is a sad example of the blindness and lack of understanding that remain even in the saints of God

All sides agree that infants may be chosen of God for salvation - washed in Christ’s blood, born again of the Spirit, have grace, be justified, sanctified and enter heaven

If these things are true, it is hard to see why they should not receive the outward sign of baptism

Most also agree that infants are members of Christ’s visible church, because of their parents Christian faith

1 Cor 7:14 “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.”

Why shouldn't the Christian child receive the sign of admission into the church (baptism), just as the Jewish child received the outward sign of circumcision

The doctrine about “believers baptism” is debatable

Houses of Lydia and Stephanas were baptized, the jailer of Philippi and “all his family” were baptized. It is difficult to believe there were no children in these families

Jesus never commanded infant baptism, but

The church of the Jews did admit its children through circumcision - this is the church Jesus came out of

Baptism is the Christian sacrament of admitting children to the church, and its significant that Jesus commanded no change

Bringing it home

The subject of baptism has done much harm to the Christian church - debates about it are harmful to the cause of Christ

Many have written and preached on this controversy without changing any minds

Our experience with this subject shows that it is best for Christians to leave one another alone, and agree to differ

The baptism that we all need to know about is not so much the baptism of water, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit

Many are baptized in water, but never renewed by the Holy Spirit

Have we been born again? Have we received the Holy Spirit, are we new creatures in Jesus Christ?

If not, it really doesn’t matter when, where, or how we have been baptized - we are still in our sins

Without new birth, we cannot be saved.

Let’s never rest until we know and feel for sure that we have passed from death to life, that we have been truly born of God!

The Gospel

Hebrews 10:31 ESV

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Romans 10:9 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Prayers

Questions