TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE
Memorize this Verse: (Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.)
13. T W T B U H L C T H S P H H O T A P A T D R T
14. B J S S L C A F T N T C U M F O S I T K O H
Matthew 19:13 “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.”
“Then were there brought unto him little children”: These are termed by Luke (Luke 18:15), infants, very young children. And it was on this account, probably, that the disciples rebuked the parents, thinking them too young to receive good.
Luke 18:16; and were capable of coming to him of themselves, as his words following suppose. Nor does their being brought to him, or his taking them in his arms, contradict this; since the same things are said of such as could walk of themselves (Matthew 12:22; Mark 9:36). Nor is it known whose children they were, whether their parents were believers or unbelievers, nor by whom they were brought: but the end for which they were brought is expressed.
“That he should put his hands”. It was a common custom among the Jews to lay their hands on the heads of those whom they blessed, or for whom they prayed. This seems to have been done by way of dedication or consecration to God, the person being considered as the sacred property of God ever after.
Doesn’t this sound like some churches today? They say that little children are not old enough to know what they are doing, and therefore, should not be allowed to come to Jesus. These little children need the blessings of the Lord, the same as the old.
Maybe, if Jesus could touch us at a very early age, we would not make nearly as many mistakes as we do when we wait until after we have lived in the world for years before we come to Him.
Matthew 19:14 “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
“For of such”: These children were too young to have exercised personal faith (see Luke 18:15), where Luke refers to them as “babies.” Therefore, it is even more significant that Christ used them as an illustration of those who make up “the kingdom of Heaven” (18:1-4).
(Mark 10:16 also says He “blessed them.”)
God often shows a special mercy to those who because of age or mental deficiency are incapable of their faith or willful unbelief (Jonah 4:11). They are called “innocent” (in Jer. 19:4). This does not mean they are free from the inherited guilt and moral corruption of Adam’s sin, but rather that they are not culpable in the same sense as those whose sins are premeditated and deliberate.
Infant Salvation: Children who die before the age of accountability go to the presence of God and are considered safe in Jesus, rather than using the traditional word saved. This is based on the nature of God, who would not condemn anyone who lacked the ability to respond.
Based on David’s words concerning a future meeting with his dead infant (2 Sam. 12-23), most Christians are assured that children who die before the age of accountability will be in heaven. How this is accomplished is open to speculation, since the Bible does not specifically say.
The age of accountability is generally thought to be the time at which a child understands the difference between right and wrong. Sometimes God will allow tragic events like the death of a child to enter our lives, so that we can understand and appreciate His comfort and be prepared to comfort others in their time of need (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
TODAY'S BIBLE READING
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:
Old Testament
Exodus 19-20 — 8.0 minutes
Psalms 30 — 2.5 minutes
New Testament
Matthew 13:1-23 — 5.5 minutes
Acts 18:18-28 — 3.0 minutes
Total Average Read Time — 19.0 minutes
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