Matthew 19:13-22, Grace for Parents

We have seen God’s grace in marriage; here we see God’s grace in parenting.  Children were brought to Jesus for His blessing.  People often brought the sick to Jesus; how wonderful to see parents brought their children to Jesus.  The disciples, of course, did not share this attitude but had the typical view that children are not that important in this “adult world”.  But Jesus understood their ability to believe with sincerity (cf. Mt. 18:3-4).  This passage is a basis for children’s ministry.

There is a truth throughout Scripture, that children are a gift from God.  See if the following reflects your attitude or the attitude of our society.

·        Gen. 4:1,25: Eve understood that her children were from the Lord, perhaps even hoping they were God’s fulfillment of the promise of a Savior.

·        Gen. 17:16,20: God’s promise to Abraham concerning Sara reflects this.  I will bless her, and give you a son also of her. 

·        Gen. 28:3: Isaac’s words to Jacob show that Isaac saw God’s blessing in children.

·        Gen. 29:32-35: Leah’s response to her first child, Reuben, shows this.

·        Gen. 30:2,6,17-20,22-24: Jacob’s response to Rachel showed this.  Am I in God’s stead, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?

·        Gen. 33:5: So did Jacob’s response to Esau’s asking Who are those with you?  And he said, The children which God has graciously given your servant.

·        Ruth 4:13: The Lord gave Ruth conception so that she bore a son.

·        Job 1:21: Job saw God’s hand in giving children as well as taking them away.

·        Psalm 107:38,41: The Psalmist saw increased population as God’s blessing.

·        Psalm 113:9: He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children.

·        Psalm 127:3: Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Jesus’ blessing is seen in the laying on of His hands, a symbol of His identification with them.  We bring our children to the Lord when we pray for them.  This was the father’s responsibility, not just the mother’s (1 Chron. 22:12; 29:19; Job 1:5).

How should we pray for our children?

·        Certainly, we should pray for everything about our children, Phil. 4:6-7. 

·        Certainly, we should pray for their salvation, Rom. 10:1.

·        David prayed for wisdom and understanding for Solomon, 1 Chron. 22:12.  That is interesting in that we see Solomon pray for the same thing in 2 Chron. 1:1-12.  Perhaps Solomon had been moved by what his father considered to be important and worthy of bringing to the Lord concerning his son.  When we pray out loud with and for our children they will learn what we think is most important in life.

·        David also prayed that Solomon would have a loyal heart in keeping the word of God as well as being faithful to fulfill God’s plan for his life, 1 Chron. 29:19. 

Let us be faithful today to bring our children to the Lord for His blessing.