When people heard that Jesus had come, a large crowd gathered.

When people heard that Jesus was coming, a large crowd gathered.
Amidst this, some people brought children, but the disciples rebuked them and tried to stop them.
...Perhaps they thought the children would get in Jesus' way.

However, seeing this,
Jesus rebuked the disciples' actions,
brought the children close to him, placed them on his lap, picked them up, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
...This clearly shows how much Jesus cherished children.
...In every era, in adult-centered societies, children tend to be looked down upon.
...I think a characteristic of children is their "innocence."
..."Unless you receive the Kingdom of God 'like a child'"
...It calls for a heart that trusts in Jesus, who is God, just as a child, instinctively trusts their own weaknesses, just as they trust their parents.
...What about us?
Let's never lose our kind and innocent hearts, no matter how old we get!

Shalom 😃

This page archives a Morning Word message shared by Pastor Peter Sunagawa on LINE. The English prose is a translation of the Japanese source message. For Scripture wording, use the BSB link above.