What is the meaning of Suffer little children to come unto me?
When Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me,” He was reaching out to a segment of society that was thought to be insignificant. Children, in their weakness and vulnerability, have much to teach us as adults. As we grow, the hardness of the world often makes our hearts callous.
Luke 18:15-17
In these verses He compared that humility to childlikeness: Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. In these words Jesus was stating that a person must come to Him in humility in order to enter the kingdom.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Jesus, though, steps in and insists on allowing the little children to come to Him. He tells the disciples not to hinder them because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children. It is a tender picture, and Jesus clearly cares for the children.
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).
He says they must become "like children" in order to enter the kingdom—a reference to humility and sincere obedience. The greatest is one who humbles himself in this way. Those who receive children like that in Jesus' name receive Him.
"Come unto me", he calls, "all that labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest". "Come unto me". God takes the initiative to call us to himself. God through the prophet Isaiah calls out, "Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters; you who have no money, come, buy and eat.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
(Mark 10.13-16 ). The disciples were rebuking the children because they felt it was the right thing to do. After all, children were considered to hold the lowest status in society in the ancient world (Barton and Muddiman 907).
Who stopped the little children from coming to Jesus?
One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.
(2) "To experience," "to go through,"' "to endure": "I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him" (Mt 27:19). A woman "had suffered many things of many physicians" (Mr 5:26).
Children are a God-given example to the wise, a gift to the world, a vital part of God's plan, and a treasure of His earthly and heavenly kingdom. It is clear from Scripture that Jesus has nothing but love for the children of the world.
[9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Matthew 18:6 New International Version (NIV)
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Deut. 27:25 cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person... Psalm 10:8 in the secret places doeth he murder the innocent... Psalm 106:38 And shed innocent blood, even blood of their sons and of their daughters,/; and polluted the land with blood.
But the Lord says, 'Even the captives of the most mighty and most terrible shall all be freed; for I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children" (Isaiah 49:24 & 25, TLB).
17 Your children will soon return to you, and the people who defeated you and destroyed you will leave. 18 Look up and look around you. All your children are gathering to return to you." The Lord says, "As surely as I live, your children will be like jewels that a bride wears proudly.
So Jesus says in Matthew 18:4: “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Note that Jesus says in verse 3 that unless you turn and become like this little child, unless you become humble like a 2-year-old, you will not even enter the kingdom.
King Benjamin's list of qualities is probably the most common understanding of what it means to become as little children. We must be submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, and so forth.
How many times in the Bible does Jesus say come unto me?
The phrase come unto me is found 74 times; come unto him, 24 times; come unto Christ, 5 times. The phrases come unto the Holy One of Israel and come unto God are found 11 times. Other variations of the word come are cometh unto me and cometh unto the Lord; there were six and four of those phrases respectively.
The implication is to allow Jesus to put His own yoke on us, the way a farmer would put one on his livestock. It means giving Jesus control and letting Him direct our efforts. The work He has will not be difficult, Jesus says. He wants them to learn from Him.
When the risen Christ said, “Peace be with you,” I believe He meant for us to hear those words also. It's a pronouncement of well being and wholeness. The words spoken by Jesus to His disciples still need to be heard today, “Peace be with You.”
What does the Bible say about overbearing or controlling parents? Ephesians 6 : 4, says: Father's, do not provoke your your children, instead, bring them up in training and instruction of the Lord.
God's children do not receive the wrath of God. God's wrath was poured out on Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Nevertheless, it is easy to understand why some believe they are receiving wrath. God does not punish his kids but holds each one individually accountable for their sin.
