Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. – Proverbs 20:11 KJV
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Proverbs 23:24 KJV
Before we look at the role of children and a rather well-known interruption of Jesus, I would like for us to briefly consider the role of Jesus as Son of God.
GOD, the LORD Jehovah, is Creator of all men, Father of all mankind and Ruler of all creation.
I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. – Isaiah 43:15 KJV
In a sense we are all sons and daughters of God; yet Jesus IS God Incarnate, a begotten Son of God the Father by a woman born to man.
It hadn’t been so many years since Jesus as a young man had became known to the rulers of the Temple.
Luke 2:40-52 English Standard Version (ESV)
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Just a couple of quick questions for you as a 21st century parent:
- Do you spend time in the Bible with your children so that they will become strong in the Lord and filled with wisdom?
- Do you regularly observe the teaching traditions of the church with your children?
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it…
Joseph and Mary trained up Jesus in the way He should go, that when the time came for a young man to seek the favor of God that their young adult would obey the Lord.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers…
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
The leaders would be older men with years of understanding from scripture and from life. Jesus is now just thirty years old, a relatively young teacher at the beginning of His ministry, who though not married is of age most other men have sons of their own. This iterate Rabbi is not the stately grandfather who sits in the Temple or Synagogues only to share their wisdom of age.
The Apostle John tells a story of how Jesus uses the faith of a young boy to bring many to faith.
Jesus is teaching the crowds. The Apostles are serving Him and ministering to the crowds. It has been centuries since the Kingdom of Israel. It has been centuries since the miracles of the Prophets.
Which generation will see the restoration of the Kingdom, the people ask? Which generation after all these will see the coming of the Christ?
The people followed Jesus to hear the Lord teach and to witness His righteousness and power and healing.
John 6:
3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples… 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
Imagine that your son comes to you and says, “I want to go with the neighbors who are going to see Jesus of Nazareth teach on the mountainside.”
“Just a moment young man,” says the good Jewish mother. “Not without some food and water you don’t.” And the mom packs her son a lunch and sends him out with it and skin of cold water from their well for the long day ahead.
“Now off with you” the mother encourages her son, “and be back by dark.”
Returning to John’s Gospel:
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
It is no small role this young man who wanted to see Jesus played in the faith of the five thousand.
Another interruption: a father coming to Jesus for the sake of his young son:
Luke 9:
38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child…
How many parents would willingly press through the crowds surrounding this Jesus Christ, a superstar descended from the mountain, just to have an uncontrollable child healed?
“… Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.
How every loving parent would love to have the Lord give your suffering child back to you. Jesus is not here only to feed the five thousand on the mountaintop. Jesus is present for even a child in need. Jesus IS here even for you.
Jesus’ Disciples often thought of Him as a leader of men, here only to restore Israel and heal the faithful. How often we are wrong about the Messiah.
Mark 10:
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
First century families and the religious establishment often thought the teaching of Rabbis was important only to men, especially men of learning; certainly not to women (let her husband instruct her) or to children (who were only to obey without understanding).
Jesus most often used the relationship of God as Father, a loving Father; therefore our Lord showed children the kindness of a loving Father in Heaven.
Is it not important for us to lead our children by the example of our compassion?
Jesus welcomed children to hear scripture, to receive healing, even to receive life. Children have so much value for a time that will last beyond a generation of our own.
Christ Jesus welcomes woman and men to God’s Kingdom with joy. He teaches us to have a simple faith. Let Jesus be your Lord, as a loving father would be your parent.
Men now relegate religion to the attention of the woman of the house ‘for the instruction of the children.’ Christianity is for children and moms, not working dads who know better than to bow down before anyone (let alone God). How sad for our broken homes that we would send children to Jesus and not hear the very Word of God for ourselves.
We are a hard-hearted and sinful generation in a way more lost than those to whom Jesus first came on the mountainsides of Galilee and in the hills of Jerusalem.
- When was the last time you interrupted GOD with a childlike praise?
- When will your week finally conclude with your reverent worship of our loving Father?
- When will we humbly bow down to GOD our Father and have the pure joy of Jesus as our Lord?
How long, O man, will you count your days as if they are your own?
Mark 10:24
And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!
The Synagogue in Capernaum was important to Jews, but the town and area are ruled by Rome (as was Jerusalem).
Jesus of Capernaum, the Son of Man, taught in the towns nearby like Chorazin and Bethsaida-Julius where Scribes and Pharisees studied the Law and the Prophets. Jesus of Nazareth, as He was known, also taught on the hillsides near Capernaum. Most of these places where the teachings of Jesus were heard and miracles witnessed were near Capernaum. We can be certain that Roman officials tracked every move of this popular leader of the crowds. Certainly Centurions would listen to every word for the first sign of another insurrection against Rome.