“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 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. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16
John MacArthur expounded on this passage and his points stirred some of my own thoughts. If you’ve read my blog at all, you know I feel like Christians, generally speaking, have adopted a jaded view of children. The comments made about larger than normal families reveal that we really do view children more as commodities–and therefore, too many are a burden. My ongoing prayer is that those who proclaim Christ (myself included) will imitate Him.
And as it concerns children, this passage is one that gives us particular insight about Jesus’ heart toward children. MacArthur pointed out that the phrase “he was much displeased” is from the word translated “indignant” and is used only a few times in the Bible. Jesus was often disappointed and/or frustrated with His disciples, but only a few times was he “indignant.”
Indignant.
We don’t like to see this side of Jesus. Not the always-kind, never harsh one that we’ve conjured up. He was livid. And really, it seems like such a small thing, doesn’t it? The disciples simply told the parents to stop bringing their children to Jesus because they were interrupting His teaching. They were seeing the children as a burden. (By the way, MacArthur also points out that these children were infants–according to the translation.)
I think this passage has two implications. First, is the general attitude we are to have toward children. If Jesus was indignant at those He loved for speaking of these children as burdens, does He not become indignant with us as well when we do it? I’m just pointing out a very plain observation.
And how about children “coming to Jesus” in church services? Isn’t that where we meet the Lord? Where we worship? Where our children see us lift up His name corporately and learn about spirit and truth? How many of you have ever been told you need to remove your children from the service because they might disrupt or interfere?
I think we are not afraid enough of our Lord’s indignation. What does he get angry about? Maybe we should take notice. Maybe it should make us angry too.
16 comments
Our new chaplain (whom we really like and who’s pretty conservative) has made the general point a couple times already that he likes seeing the children in the service, that they aren’t a disturbance when they make sounds, etc. A message not often heard in a military chapel!
Yes, yes, yes! I have seven children myself and I could not agree more with this post. I was just kissing and cuddling my almost 8 month old and thinking how could anyone see these precious gifts as burdens? Then I came and read this post.
Thank you once again for speaking the truth about the blessing of children. This verse is a wonderful reminder of how God wants us to view children. Our world is horribly mistaken, but God’s word provides truth.
Wonderful post! We do not have a staffed nursery at our church — children are very welcome. Sometimes I get frustrated however when parents are not considerate of those trying to listen to the message…even small children can learn to be quiet, but training should take place outside of church, not in church!
Beautiful post. Children are a wonderful blessng, from #1 – #20.
Let me say first of all that I have been reading your posts for quite a while now (and a few blogs like yours…I found yours on Mrs. P’s)and I am so amazed that I have found people like me! I turned to the internet in hopes of finding like mindind familes for encouragement. Not to put you to sleep with our long story….we married at 20 and 21 (didn’t “date”), decided after much prayer and research, (before we married) that we would leave the timing of children and our family size up to God…became pregnant with our first child three months after we were married….fast forward to the present…we have three children, three(1/2)and under…I am a “stay-at-home-starting-to-homeschool-want-to-have-as-many-little-BLESSINGS-as-He-gives-us wife and mommy”….so, we journey through this life riding in the “crazy wagon” also! 🙂
We have yet to find a church that will allow children to be in the service. (and not just “our” children…any children!) And maybe anyone would say this about their own children, but honestly, they really are very quite and well behaved children…but they are children and as you know…children just can’t whisper! Somehow, it’s louder than their speaking voice! “MOMMY! I HAVE TO GO NOW! DO I NEED TO USE A CUP AGAIN LIKE I DID IN THE CAR AT THE ZOO?…’CAUSE DADDY SAID THE ZOO POTTYS WERE YUCKY! And then the ENTIRE church turns to look at your family! (And you crawl, ever so gracefully, under the chairs or the pew…or for that matter…out the door!) We have been to more than one church that had signs (yes!) posted that said “No children allowed in service”…to which we turned and left, all the while my husband is muttering something about our children now being PETS! And then there was the church that we visited and while sitting in the service with our first baby (who was 7weeks old at the time, asleep in her carrier with a blanket over it) and a gentleman came and asked us to take her to nursery or to leave! I know there is nothing “wrong” with a church nursery, but I have a problem leaving my baby with a total stranger…regardless of whether they do background checks on their workers or not.
I could tell story after story…and this is one of the reasons that my husband and I are currently worshiping at home. And although we see and believe that the Bible teaches “corporate worship”…for now we are so thankful that “where two or more are gathered in His name” He is there!
House church was the norm until 345 AD. This guy’s book has been helping me understand more about church at home, which we have to do because we have special needs kids:
http://supernaturalhousechurch.org
Blessings on you!
I have never understood, even before we had children, why and when it was decided that church was supposed to be dead quiet (I use the word “dead” on purpose). Reverant, of course, and I don’t think it’s appropriate to let an infant wail over the sermon, nor a restless preschooler rifle through other ladies purses or run the aisles….but at some point, if I’m only invested in it to the extent of my own distraction level, and can’t (or won’t) overlook the occasional this and that of my fellow FAMILY members, then I’m only there for my own entertainment. I’m not a big Rick Warren fan, but he makes a brilliant point – worship is FOR GOD….it’s not about me, what I “get out of the service”.
The Rector of our Church in Houston would encourage children to attend both “regular services” – he would address the occasional restless child by name from the podium, remind him he was being spoken to also, not left out and being expected to behave for merely adult reasons. He encouraged those who did not care to be bothered by children to come for a special 6:30 am service, where they would be sure to not be disturbed. Loved him. And love that he knew Christ’s sense of humor.
Oh, I so pray that more pastors would wake up to this problem! We are in the process of finding a new church- hopefully, a family integrated church that is not reformed in doctrine- and they are few and far between! Like Charity, we are hosting a home church/ fellowship where kids are part of the service and it’s just amazing how much my kids are getting out of it! It breaks my heart that more pastors do not see the blessing of children in the sanctuary. Thank you for exposing the truth in love. I truly enjoy your blog!!!
Wonderful post! Thank you! I’m thinking about printing it off to put on the bulletin board at our church with a big “READ THIS” arrow pointed toward it.
At our church there is no “Nursery Service” or “Children’s Church” offered during Sunday service. The pastor (my dear hubby) recognizes the fact that children are probably listening more closely to the morning message than some adults realize. They also love to participate in other parts of the service where appropriate as well.
If I’m not mistaken, when members of the early Church met, it was usually in the home of the sister or brother. No fancy recreational halls or classrooms where children could be sent away, out of sight and out of mind from their parents.
This mentality is VERY SLOW to catch on. I’m aware that my work as a homeschooling “Mom of Many” AND pastor’s wife doesn’t really receive much respect and/or admiration even among our brothers and sisters in Christ. But I have to remember that at one time I too had the same worldly attitude toward children that you describe. It took a bit of “un-brainwashing” to be open to God’s blessings. I’m praying that next, all the snide looks and underhanded comments about how we’ve decided to live our lives won’t matter as much. (i.e. Won’t have that nasty little “sting.”)
Beautifully written!
Our pastor often comments that when the day comes that he can’t preach over the occasional noise of children – that’s when he needs to retire.
We do have a children’s craft class available during both Sunday services and on Wed. night studies – but they are certainly not mandatory. I do agree that space needs to be provided for parents to take unruly children out of the service – it does happen to the best of families – so as not to disturb the remainder of the congregation.
That, however, is a parenting issue – not a church one.
Kim – “That, however, is a parenting issue – not a church one.”
Well said – and applicable to so many areas in the churchs’ policies and programs.
I am not a mother but feel very blessed to be part of a church that encourages children to participate in our worship service. Yeah, it can get noisy, but you learn to deal with it. the truly amazing thing is seeing the growth in the families with children. One day they are crying and asking to be taken to the bathroom every 5 minutes and the next thing you know they are singing and praying along with the rest. And hushing their younger brothers and sisters as well.
It was sad to read some of the posts that spoke about children not being welcome in some churches.
Personally, I feel that those churches that act like this are little more than religiously oriented social clubs.
To you sisters who are looking for a church, hang in there. Out great God will lead you to where He wants you.
blessings
Trish
great post!
I can’t believe that churches would honestly have signs saying that children weren’t welcome! Our congregation is small and our building and service style informal. Children all come in and sit with their parents. The children all go and sit on the floor at the front for a kids’ talk and song (my 3 year old loves to stand up and help show the adults the actions!) after the welcome and first songs, etc. then children can go to the adjoining room for singing and Sunday school. There’s a group for school age and a group for preschool, but parents would be free to keep their children in for the entire time if they preferred. We also have a room for feeding babies with a little privacy and a comfortable chair! We can see through the window and hear the message on speakers.