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Jesus Fed Children (Matt. 14:21; 15:38) Jesus Inspired Children (Matt. 21:15) Jesus Healed Children Healed from near-death illnesses (John 4:46-54) Cast out demons Matt . 15:21-28; 17:14-21; Mark 7:24-30; 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42 Raised from the dead
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Jesus Fed Children (Matt. 14:21; 15:38) • Jesus Inspired Children (Matt. 21:15) • Jesus Healed Children • Healed from near-death illnesses (John 4:46-54) • Cast out demons • Matt. 15:21-28; 17:14-21; Mark 7:24-30; 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42 • Raised from the dead • Jairus’ daughter (Matt. 9:18-25; Mk. 5:21-43; Lk. 8:40-56) • Widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17)
Jesus Exalted Children • Jesus used children to teach a lesson about humility • There was a dispute about greatness (Luke 9:46) • Jesus illustrated true greatness when: • Jesus called a little child (Matt. 18:2) • Jesus set a little child beside Him (Luke 9:47-48) • Jesus took a child in His arms (Mark 9:36) • Jesus taught that true greatness (and entering the kingdom) requires: • A conversion (from pride) to become like a child (Matt. 18:3) • Humbling oneself as a little child, with childlike spirit (Matt. 18:4) • Seeing inherent value in a little child & receiving them (Mt. 18:5) • Accepting that the least shall be great (Luke 9:48)
Jesus Exalted Children • Jesus used children to teach a lesson about humility • There was a dispute about greatness (Luke 9:46) • Jesus illustrated true greatness • Jesus taught true greatness • Jesus reckoned children’s faith to be exemplary and fragile (Matt. 18:6) • Great care was to be given to all small acts – both of good & of evil • Heavy penalties await small offenses that hinder or destroy faith
Jesus Blessed Children • Parents were bringing their children to Jesus (Mk. 10:13; Lk. 18:15) • Parents wanted Jesus to “touch” their children (Mk. 10:13; Lk. 18:15) • Parents wanted Jesus to “pray” for their children (Matt. 19:13) • For spiritual benefits, to have the favor of God upon their children! • The Lord was not too busy to pay attention to the children! • The disciples “rebuked those who brought them” (Mark 10:13) • Perhaps they wished to protect Jesus from interference or annoyance • Likely they saw this as something of inferior or beneath Jesus • They were too busy and too important to be bothered with children • “When Jesus saw it, He was indignant” at their interference (Mk 10:14)
Jesus Blessed Children • Jesus blessed the little children, bidding them come to Him (Mark 10:14) • Jesus blessed their “of such”/childlike qualities • Humble, teachable, loving, innocent • Only those who have these “of such” qualities enter the kingdom • “He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:16)
Two Questions: • Do we have a childlike humility, faith and devotion to Jesus? • Do we have as much care and concern for a child’s spiritual well-being as Jesus?