In His Arms
Our Bible passage, introduction to Sunday 13th March’s service and hymns are below.
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Our verses are:
Mar 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
Mar 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Mar 10:16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
In His Arms
Those who brought their children to Jesus did so purposefully. Most likely it was for healing that they came to Him, or it could be they sought the Master’s touch of blessing upon their little ones for their future wellbeing. Perhaps, if they were believers, they came hoping their child too might receive a spiritual work of grace in their souls. Whatever the reason, the encounter would be filled with wonder and excitement for the little ones involved.
Interceding for others
Many came seeking personal help from the Lord Jesus Christ but a quick reflection on the gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry reveals that just as frequently it was other people who brought the needy to Christ for healing. This is a powerful lesson and a great encouragement for us to intercede for others and endeavour to bring others under the sound of Christ’s voice, and the touch of His hand, in the gospel.
The privilege of parents
I am sure we can identify with the desire of these parents to share the Lord’s goodness and mercy with their children. We have many examples in Scripture of both mothers and fathers bringing their children to the Saviour, such as the Syrophenician woman and Jairus. If love for our children and grandchildren causes us to yearn for the Lord’s saving power in their lives, as it surely does, we have many good examples.
Why bar the way to Jesus?
Why the disciples were an obstruction to these parents and children is hard to know. Were they being protective of Jesus? Were they trying to steward the crowds like doorkeepers, deciding who should gain access to the Lord and who should not? Were they ranking the people by need, imagining themselves qualified to make such judgments? Their language is needlessly harsh, they rebuked the parents. The Lord’s displeasure is equally firm; ‘He was much displeased’.
Childlike faith is a pattern
The disciples should have known better. It is not a preacher’s job to decide who is to be given access to the Lord, nor an apostle’s role to choose who may be brought into the church of the Lord. Preachers are called to preach salvation by grace and freely declare forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus Christ.
If any come it will be the Lord who draws and we must not stand in their way. This was another important lesson for the disciples. Not only must children be welcomed, they are models of us all. Everyone who comes to the Lord Jesus Christ must come, will come, with childlike humility, meekness and trust. It is the nature of true faith and the effect of true conversion.
Parents take note
How encouraging to hear the Saviour’s words. I feel sure they were loud and emphatic. Loud enough to be heard by the mistaken disciples and sufficient to reach the ears of those being frightened away from the Lord. Let them come! Stand back! Allow them through! Suffer the little children! Forbid them not! These are sweet words of encouragement to every parent. The Pharisees did not bring their children to Jesus! Let us as parents seize these words, employ them and plead them before the Lord for our own children – even the big ones.
Happy outcome
What a reception when the children reach the Saviour. I imagine them running with infectious excitement. Do not for a moment think of this encounter as a solemn, dignified and formal procession. These were children, not merely infants in arms, but toddlers and likely up to age twelve and more. There would be shouting, laughter and joy. The Lord embraced them, blessed them and lifted them up in His arms. This is one of the most delightful scenes in the Bible and a picture of a believer entering into a knowledge of the joy of the Lord.
He took them in His arms
You may know Fanny Crosby’s hymn, ‘Safe in the Arms of Jesus’. It is a beautiful theme. Jesus’ arms are arms of strength and tenderness. They are suited for protection and gentleness. They provide healing and affection, and bring comfort and encouragement. Our thoughts this week will dwell upon some of the blessed privileges of being safe in the arms of Jesus Christ. As believers and members of Christ’s church we are frequently called ‘little children’. How blessed to hear our Saviour say, ‘come unto me … for of such is the kingdom of God.’
Our hymns are below.
Hymn 1
Gadsby selection 982
“It is finished.” John 19. 30; 4. 34; 17. 4
T. Kelly 8.7.4.
1
“It is finished!” Sinners, hear it;
’Tis the dying Victor’s cry;
“It is finished!” Angels bear it,
Bear the joyful truth on high :
“It is finished!”
Tell it through the earth and sky!
2
Justice, from her awful station,
Bars the sinner’s peace no more;
Justice views with approbation
What the Saviour did and bore;
Grace and mercy
Now display their boundless store.
3
Hear the Lord himself declaring
All performed he came to do;
Sinners, in yourselves despairing,
This is joyful news to you.
Jesus speaks it,
His are faithful words and true.
4
“It is finished!” all is over;
Yes, the cup of wrath is drained;
Such the truth these words discover;
Thus the victory was obtained;
’Tis a victory
None but Jesus could have gained.
5
Crown the mighty Conqueror, crown him,
Who his people’s foes o’ercame!
In the highest heaven enthrone him!
Men and angels, sound his fame!
Great his glory!
Jesus bears a matchless name.
Hymn 2
Gadsby selection 984
“The great trumpet shall be blown.” Isa. 27. 13
C. Cole L.M.
1
Hark! how the gospel trumpet sounds!
Christ and free grace therein abounds;
Free grace to such as sinners be;
And if free grace, why not for me?
2
The Saviour died, and by his blood
Brought rebel sinners near to God;
He died to set the captives free;
And why, my soul, why not for thee?
3
The blood of Christ, how sweet it sounds,
To cleanse and heal the sinner’s wounds!
The streams thereof are rich and free;
And why, my soul, why not for thee?
4
Thus Jesus came the poor to bless,
To clothe them with his righteousness;
The robe is spotless, full, and free;
And why, my soul, why not for thee?
5
Eternal life by Christ is given,
And ruined rebels raised to heaven,
Then sing of grace so rich and free,
And say, my soul, why not for thee?