And they brought unto Him also infants, that He would touch them, but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Luke 18:15
The Boston Red Sox had a designated hitter – and sometimes first baseman – who was given the nickname of Big Papi. And David Ortiz was definitely big, standing six-foot-five and weighing more than 230 pounds. His imposing presence at the plate was all the more frightening to opposing pitchers because of his ability to hit home runs. But despite his size and appearance, there was something about him that small children enjoyed. Shortly before a game, Ortiz was standing with other players near the stands, when he saw a young woman holding a small child in her arms. Ortiz went over to them, and gently took the child in his arms, where the little one snuggled contentedly against his massive shoulder during the playing of the national anthem. It was a touching scene for sure, and reminds us of the touching scene in our text of mothers who wanted the Lord Jesus to touch their little children.
Why did those women want the Lord Jesus to touch their children? They were too young to understand Who He was, so what was the point? Oh, those mothers knew something that every mother ought to know and to practice! Nothing was more important to the little children than to be in the presence of the Son of God, to be in touch with Him. In the parallel portion in Matthew 19:15, we read that Jesus indeed laid His hands on the children. Luke 10:16 goes further to tell us that He took those children up in His arms. Children mattered to Him, and He appreciated that those mothers brought them. Make no mistake, the Lord Jesus still appreciates parents who make every effort to bring their little children into contact with Himself. Of all the programs and activities that parents can have their children involved in these days, none are as important as this.
The Lord Jesus no longer walks the dusty roads of Galilee or gathers crowds to hear Him as when His ministry was being carried out in Samaria and Judea. So how do parents bring their children to the Lord Jesus? There are many ways, actually. Wise and loving parents will pray for and with their children. They will also read and tell their children the wonderful stories of the life of the Lord Jesus. They will make known to their children the reality of the love of a Saviour Who cares for and died for little children. They will provide the children with books and other materials to let them learn for themselves about the Lord Jesus. They will make sure the children attend Sunday School classes and children’s meetings, and that they memorize verses from the Scriptures.
If the Lord Jesus thought it important for the mothers to bring their little ones to Him, we ought to think likewise. Jesus loves the little children… it’s far more than just a lovely song. – Jim MacIntosh