Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Luke 18:15-17 God can work wonders with our childlike faith


God’s protects those who have a childlike  faith in Him.


Matthew 18:3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.


When we are at our weakest, in our ability to protect ourselves, He is the strongest in our life. We need to let go and let God handle it.


God keep you from a bad relationship? Protect you from the wrong job? 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV) says, “He will strengthen and protect you.” And Psalm 91:11 (NIV) reminds us, “God will command his angels…to guard you.” God protects you with a cloak of love.


Here’s what love says: 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) says, “Love covers a multitude of sins.” Love doesn’t expose. It doesn’t gossip. If love says anything, it speaks words of protection.


Do you know anyone who needs protection? Of course you do. Then give some. Pay a gas bill for a struggling elderly couple. Make sure your divorced friends are invited to parties. Promise your kids that, God being your helper, they’ll never know a hungry day or a homeless night. In Matthew 25:40 (NIV) Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.” Max Lucado


Matthew 19:13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. The New King James Version


In this short scene, Jesus welcomes children and lays His hands on them in prayer as a sign of blessing. Faithlife Study Bible


It is well for us, that Christ has more love and tenderness in him than the best of his disciples have. And let us learn of him not to discountenance any willing, well-meaning souls, in their seeking after Christ, though they are but weak. Those who are given to Christ, as part of his purchase, he will in no wise cast out. Therefore he takes it ill of all who forbid, and try to shut out those whom he has received. And all Christians should bring their children to the Saviour that he may bless them with spiritual blessings.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary


Mark 10:13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. The New King James Version


Jesus now teaches about children and faith. Faithlife Study Bible


Children exhibit sincerity, eagerness, a trusting attitude, and total dependence on their parents. Thus childlikeness is a fitting comparison for the qualities a disciple should have. The NKJV Study Bible


Children should be directed to the Saviour as soon as they are able to understand his words. Also, we must receive the kingdom of God as little children; we must stand affected to Christ and his grace, as little children to their parents, nurses, and teachers. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary


Luke 18:15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”  The New King James Version


Jesus likely makes this comparison to illustrate humility. In the Graeco-Roman world, children were viewed as having a low status. Faithlife Study Bible


The disciples assumed that Jesus was too important and too busy for children.


Jesus used the thoughtlessness of His disciples to make two points: (1) All people, even little children, are important to God. (2) The kingdom of God consists of those who respond to Him with the trust that a little child gives to a parent. The NKJV Study Bible


None are too little, too young, to be brought to Christ, who knows how to show kindness to those not capable of doing service to him. It is the mind of Christ, that little children should be brought to him. The promise is to us, and to our seed; therefore He will bid them welcome to him with us. And we must receive his kingdom as children, not by purchase, and must call it our Father’s gift. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary


Mark 10:13–16 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God…


Matthew 19:13–15 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”…


1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

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