Heartprints

Jesus The Kid Magnet!

 

To me one of the coolest things about Jesus is that he was a kid magnet.  He loved, loved, loved the children and I can only imagine that kids felt his unbelievable love and warmth for them.  My favorite scripture that really paints this picture is Mark 10:13-16.  

 

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 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. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Mark 10:13-16 ESV

 

Sometimes I think this verse alone keeps in me children’s ministry! 

 

I picture the scene in Mark and I see babies being handed to Jesus and I envision kids of all ages running and jockeying in position just to be up close to him.  I imagine Jesus with a big smile and with his arms wide open, hugging the children and touching them on the head, blessing them.  To me it’s the perfect picture of love and compassion.

 

This scripture is a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse into the mind and heart of Christ.  I see the big picture of what Jesus wants us to learn here.  He’s telling all of us that we should never stop anyone who is willing and wanting to hear from Him and that we need to have that eager, vulnerable and completely open mind that children have to listen to him.  You can even understand how important that was to Him by how angry he got with this disciples.  

 

So when I have a parent tell me that their children are too young to understand the Gospel and to be “saved” I often cringe, especially if the child is in elementary school.  I get it that a preschooler may not be able to completely understand or might take things too literal but that has never stopped me from sharing the Gospel anyway.   I believe Jesus would get a little angry with me if I didn’t.  Let’s never keep a child from Jesus…Jesus certainly wouldn't.  

 

Brian 

Brian Holt was called into and served in children's ministry for over 20 years. Brian had the privilege to lead in children's ministries ranging from mega-church to plant church size. Brian changed roles in his church and now serves as the Care Pastor at Rock Creek Church in Prosper, Texas overseeing the Care and Support ministries of the church. Brian has been married to his lovely wife Amy for over 24 years and they have 5 amazing kids. Brian's passion is to see every man, woman and child fall in love with Jesus and become one of his devout followers, transforming their lives in the process to be more like Him everyday.