PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 19
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.” (Matthew 19:13)
Jesus is extremely welcoming, yet even the disciples don’t get it.
It is not only the religious leaders who hinder people from Jesus.
They rebuke the parents who want Jesus to bless their children.
We’ve already seen how passionate Jesus is for ‘little ones’ (Matthew 18).
Weren’t the disciples listening, didn’t they understand by now?
There is a lesson in this: graced people often forget about grace.
They burn the bridge by which they themselves found God.
Through history, and still today, disciples rebuke and hinder seekers.
People need the blessing of Jesus; they cannot change without Him.
They need Jesus to place His hands on them, so that they can be healed.
As Jesus followers, we should be blessing as many people as possible.
This blessing is not approval, it is gracious healing and renewal.
Welcome everyone, and let Jesus do His work of blessing and helping!
Lord Jesus, forgive me when I stand in the way of seekers and strugglers looking for Your blessing. Help me to see that they cannot become who God made them to be without Your blessing.