Lesson 13
Mark 10:13-16 Jesus and Children in Mark
CHILDREN IN OT PERSPECTIVE:
The Old Testament talks about the importance of raising children to love and worship God (Deuteronomy 6:7, Proverbs 22:6). Parents are reminded that children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). Children are instructed to obey the instruction of their parents (Exodus 20:12). In the Psalms, David wrote that children are cherished in God’s eyes even before they are born (Psalm 139:13-16). The praise of children and infants God has established a stronghold against His enemies, to silence His foe and the avenger (Psalm 8:1-2). In Genesis 48:14-16, Jacob blessed his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by laying his hands upon their heads.
CHILDREN IN MARK:
There are FOUR CHILDREN mentioned specifically in Mark’s Gospel: the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:21-43), the daughter of Herodias (Mark 6:14-29), the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30), and a boy with an unclean spirit (Mark 9:14-29).
At the end of the event, Mark discloses that Jairus’ daughter was twelve years old. This first child-healing demonstrates that even children were important enough to Jesus to receive healing from him. A Syrophoenician woman begs Jesus for the healing of her “little daughter” (Mark 7:25). Jesus healed because all children are his people too. In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus heals the boy and then uses the experiences to teach his disciples a lesson about prayer. There is another child who is the daughter of Herodias. This girl, however, never meets Jesus. It also highlights ways that parents sometimes mistreat or manipulate their children for their own gain (Mark 6:14-29).
Mark has another two final encounters between Jesus, his disciples, and the children. First, in Mark 9:33-37, Jesus puts a child among disciples and says, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and a servant of all.” Second, in Mark 10:13-16, the disciples do not seem to have understood Jesus’ previous teaching. Parents brought their children for Jesus to touch, to pray for, and thus, to bless. Jesus welcomed children when others wanted to push them away (Mark 10:13-16). He said the measure of our love for him would be measured by our love for children (Mark 9:36-37).
Jesus' blessing of children in the gospel of Mark, chapter 10:13-16. Jesus' invitation to adults to become child-like (Matthew 18:1-6). The Children were considered to hold the lowest status in society in the ancient world, but Jesus Contradicted it. Children had a vulnerability, dependence, and marginal status of children in their world. But Jesus loved the children, he welcomed them and empowered them by blessing them.
STATUS OF CHILDREN:
The disciples felt it to be an unwarrantable intrusion on their Master's time to have children brought to Him to have Him touch them. The spiritual welfare of children was valued by Jesus. Christ stated that the reason the children should be allowed to come to Him is that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these kids. “The Kingdom is for those who are like children in the ancient world, i.e., the poor, the hungry, the dispossessed, those without rights and without any esteem amongst their contemporaries” (Barton and Muddiman in Jesus and the Children in the Gospels by Maryana Misula)
According to Mark, the children are the ones who are vulnerable to illness, death, and even parental mistreatment, they are dependent on their parents and are marginal persons in the community. But Jesus had greater compassion and mercy (Sharon Betsworth, Children in the Gospels). Children are not a nuisance or botheration. They are His treasure. Their prayers are heard, their hearts are felt, and their praises are just as powerful as those of any adult. Jesus made it clear that in His kingdom, status and significance are not born of wealth, power, influence, or age. (Joel Ryan, How Did Jesus Interact with Children? Meaning and Significance).
Parents brought their children to Jesus for dedication, sacrifice, and for blessing. The prayers and words of a parent can mean so much in the salvation of a child. It is especially important to bring children to Jesus when we remember they have a whole life in front of them to serve God with. (Enduring Word Commentary).
"Bless" is from the Greek root word eulogeo and can mean to praise, celebrate, or consecrate the thing or person being blessed. To bless someone is to do work for their benefit or to hope or pray for one's benefit (Bible ref).
“Do not hinder by the presentation of the Gospel in a repellent form, either hardly dogmatic or sour. Do not hinder by the requirement of such piety as is unnatural to a child. Do not hinder by inconsistencies. This is a warning for Christian parents in particular. Do not hinder by neglect. Despise not one of these little ones (Maclaren).
Conclusion: In Ephesians 6:4, Paul says, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Child Evangelism, VBS ministries, and Children camps do play a vital role in the lives of the Children. Contributions to these ministries are more vital and a great blessing.
(For further studies in Mark, please refer this cite)
