And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:16 KJV
And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. Mark 10:16 NASB
Politicians know how to work the crowd. They are looking for votes. Babies don’t vote, but their mothers and grandmothers vote. So the kisses, the “high-fives” with the older children, the expressions of what lovely children, what a beautiful baby – all these mark the vote-seeker as he moves among the populace. The media hone in for their photo-ops, and the entourage sweeps in and out, moving on to its next campaign stop.
But He was not a politician. The thinking of the day was reflected in the attitude of the disciples. To them, the children were a nuisance. The disciples rebuked those that had brought the children. They do not say it, but you can almost assume that they thought it was beneath the Lord Jesus to bother with children. Here was someone who trafficked in the major issues of life – disease, satanic power, loss of limb and eyes, even death. What interest would He have in children!
But to their surprise, their rebuke of the mothers was countered by His rebuke to them. Mark actually records that He was “much displeased.” The word carries the thought of being grieved in His heart. He loved children – their simplicity and openness, and their child-like faith.
But Mark adds one additional touch, which neither Matthew nor Luke record. “He took them up in His arms, and blessed them.” The Creator of the universe took small children into His arms and commended them to His Father. The Upholder of the Universe took children into His arms! Like the Shepherd of Isaiah 40:11, gathering the lambs in His arms, He tenderly and gently held young children and blessed them. The harshness of the disciples contrasts with the tenderness of Christ.
Click on Image to view short Idioms video: Bent Out of Shape and to learn a spiritual lesson.
He was not looking for votes, popularity, or place. He was displaying His heart, His humility, and His kindness.
Consider:
- The word for “displeased” in verse 14 is the same used in verse 41. Contrast what brought displeasure to Christ versus what brought displeasure to men.
- The thought in verse 1 is that they kept bringing to Him. It resembles a receiving line. Children were drawn to Him. But when the Lord Jesus said that “of such is the kingdom of God,” was He referring to immaturity and ignorance, or to humility and honesty?
- “He put His hands upon them.” Consider, in contrast, some of the things the Psalmist says about the hands of God and what they have done.