Let the Children Come

About this sermon

Let the Children Come | Mark 10:13-16 | Community Bible Church | Stephanie Newton What does it actually mean to release your children to Jesus? In this powerful Mother's Day message from Mark 10:13-16, Pastor Stephanie Newton unpacks one of the most well-known passages in Scripture and uncovers something most people miss entirely. This is not just a story about Jesus blessing babies. This is a story about perspective, pride, and what it truly means to let go. Drawing from her own raw and deeply personal story of releasing a prodigal daughter during one of the most painful seasons of her life, Pastor Stephanie walks us through four movements in this passage that every parent, grandparent, caregiver, and follower of Jesus needs to hear. THE PARENTS' INTERCESSION — The parents in this passage were doing what they had been taught to do. Bring your children to the most prominent rabbi you can find and get them blessed. They had heard about Jesus. They knew He could do things no one else could do. So they lined up. They came with their children in their arms and hope in their hearts. But somewhere along the way, seeking the blessing became more important than seeking the One who blesses. And Jesus noticed. THE DISCIPLES' INTERRUPTION — The disciples thought they were protecting Jesus. They thought a future king had no time for children, for those of lower status, for those with nothing to offer. But they completely missed the point of the kingdom of God. The kingdom is not built on the proud and the powerful. It is built on the humble and the dependent. Children are not an interruption to the mission of Jesus. They are a picture of what it takes to receive it. JESUS' INDIGNATION — When Jesus saw what the disciples were doing, the word used is indignant. But the root of that word means to feel pain. It pained Him to watch His own disciples become gatekeepers instead of guides, sending people away from the very One they needed most. Jesus rebuked them not out of anger alone but out of love, rooting out their pride and reminding them that no one earns their way into the kingdom. Not even them. JESUS' INVITATION — When Jesus says, "Let the children come to me," He is not making a suggestion. The Greek word used means to send them forth. He is commanding it. And He is not just speaking to the disciples. He is speaking to every parent in that crowd who came seeking a blessing to brag about rather than a Savior to surrender to. He is speaking to every parent today who is holding on so tightly that their child cannot see a need for Jesus. He is saying, get out of the way. Not because you do not matter, but because they already belong to Him. He is simply asking you to give them back. Stephanie shares with vulnerability and honesty what it looked like to walk her daughter back to the feet of Jesus on Mother's Day 2024, when she did not have the strength to throw her in and had to walk the ball back to the pitcher herself. She shares what God spoke to her in that moment: plant your feet deep in my word, bend your knees in prayer every day, keep your eyes locked on me, and worship while you wait. War while you wait. And do not quit, because it is going to be worth it. A year later, it was. If you are a parent holding on too tightly, a caregiver running out of strength, or someone who has never met the Jesus this message is about, this one is for you. The greatest thing you can ever do for your child is get them into the hands of Jesus. It is the safest place they will ever be. Don't just teach your children how to seek God's touch. Release them to seek God's face. 📖 Scripture References: Mark 10:13-16 | Matthew 18:3 | Luke 18:15-17 We are Community Bible Church located in San Antonio, Texas. You may be brand new and want to explore what we are about, or you may have been with us a while but want to learn more. Either way, we are glad you are here! To learn more about Community Bible Church, visit http://www.communitybible.com To connect with us socially: Facebook - https://cbc.social/facebook Twitter - https://cbc.social/twitter Instagram - https://cbc.social/instagram Online Church is a ministry of Community Bible Church. We gather at http://OnlineChurch.com and enjoy good music and a message. We have services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We hope you will find a service or several services that work for you and join us at Online Church. To connect with us socially: Facebook - http://facebook.com/cbconline

Topics

• Parenting