“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter in.”
Mark 10:14-15
In this verse, Jesus is rebuking His disciples because they had stopped children from coming to Him. They were probably telling the children to just “run along … don’t bother Jesus.” But Jesus said, “No! Let them come!” Through that incredible invitation, He blessed the children. You see, Jesus wants our children to come to Him even more than we do. So, if you’re a parent like I am, there are times we need to learn to get out of the way. If our lack of interest in prayer or selfishness with our own time hinders our children from coming to Jesus, we better watch out. In fact, we better repent, because our children need to learn how to pray.
Jesus wants our children to come to Him even more than we do. So, if you’re a parent like I am, there are times we need to learn to get out of the way.
Our children have much to teach us about coming into the presence of Jesus. This is why Jesus said, “I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:13). So, we need to get rid of our superiority. We need to get rid of our religiosity and our pride. Many revivals throughout history have started with children and youth. The Great Awakening in Northampton, Massachusetts in April 1734 started with youth.
Holy Spirit filled churches not only teach adults to pray, they also teach children, youth, and young adults to pray. Let's not limit God to one age group! You see, there is no Junior Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit you and I have that gives us power and energizes our prayer life, is the same Holy Spirit available to our children, our youth, and our young adults, so we need to affirm the Holy Spirit in them. The same Holy Spirit in me is the same Holy Spirit in my 11, 7, and 3 year old daughters, and I want to affirm that in them. I want to call that out in them and make space for them to come to Jesus. Today, pray that our children will come to Jesus!
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