Matthew 19:13-15

Matthew 19:13-15
This incident gives us a clue as to the heart of the disciples. I can just imagine them thinking, “We are on important business! We can’t be bothered with these children.” Shortly after this, these same men would argue about who would be greatest in the kingdom. They had not yet learned who they are nor had they understood that no one can be an effective disciple of Christ unless he first sees that he is no more than a servant. A person who does not pay attention to children, is sending a strong message of pride. What a visual lesson this was to the disciples as they saw Jesus stop His busy schedule to spend time with these children.”For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” There are two things we should learn from this statement. First, for one to be in the kingdom, he or she must first be as a child. Children have an innocence and purity of mind that each disciple should have. Children are dependent and know that they must rely on someone else to care for them. Children have a humility that causes them to trust promises without the doubtful reasonings of an adult. Children do not worry about what tomorrow may bring.
Second, there is an important application. Most religious denominations teach that a child is born in sin. Such an idea is contradictory to Jesus statement. How can a child be born depraved, inheriting the sins of his parents extending back to Adam, and be considered the ones who possess the kingdom? Consider Paul’s words in Romans 7:9, “Once I was alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died” (HCSB). Paul speaks of himself as being spiritually alive prior to the time that he came to understand the Law. That could only be when he was a child. But once grew to the point where he could comprehend the commandment and his sin, he died spiritually. Those who follow the teaching of inherited sin believe that a person starts out dead spiritually and then becomes alive once they come to Christ. But Paul says we start out alive spiritually, and then when we can understand the commandment, we sin and die spiritually and need to turn to Christ for salvation. Never is there an example of children needing to be saved. Never is there example of children being baptized. They are innocent, just as we adults must be by obeying the gospel of Christ.
Berry Kercheville