Suffer Little Children to Come to Jesus - Matthew 19:14

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them”, and in chapter nineteen and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus said, “suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me” where we read:

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:

for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

The verse reads, “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:”. Matthew began with the word, “but” or “nevertheless, moreover and”, “Jesus said” which means “Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “suffer” or “allow, permit and do not hinder” “little children” which means “small infants and young ones”, “and forbid them not” or “and do not deny, withhold or prevent them”, “to come unto me” which means “to arise and come forth to Jesus”. Matthew shared how Jesus prohibited the disciples from keeping the small children away from Him, and He instructed them to allow them to “come” to Him.

The verse continues, “for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew added the words, “for” or “because, since and on account that” “of such” which means “truly this sort and likeness” “is the kingdom” or “exists the royal rule and reign” “of heaven” which means “belonging to the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”. Matthew wrote how Jesus declared Heaven's Kingdom is like “little children” coming to God.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus lovingly caring for small children. The disciples probably thought the children were annoying Jesus, but contrary to their thinking, Jesus declared that Heaven is like little children coming to God. Those who believe in, trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus Christ become the “children of God”, and God cares for His “little children”. Those who refuse or are not allowed by others to come to Him have no idea what they are missing in a relationship with the Creator and Father of the Universe. Let all who read these words as “little children” “come unto Him” and find Him to be a loving and caring Father who stands ready to bless and care for them.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus, “laid his hands on them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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