Again, the disciples showed that they had not learned their lessons.  Mark 9:33-37 should have taught them that child-like trust, and not arrogant adult talk, impressed Jesus.  Now they even tried to turn away families with small children (the word used could mean babies, children or pre-teens).  In that society, children were an uncertain asset: they were vulnerable to disease and death - thereby reducing the parent's prospects of help to provide for the family and themselves in old age.  They were not considered as people in their own right; having no economic advantage to the family.  However, every parent loves their child.  So did Jesus!  

When parents brought their children to Jesus, they wanted His blessing.  They saw the wonderful miracles and heard the wise teaching, and they wanted their little ones to grow up to be like Him.  However, the disciples tried to act as Jesus' body-guard, keeping the children away.  They had no place close to Jesus: they did not matter to Him.  They were wrong.

Rebuking these parents was an outrage.  So, Jesus rebuked His trainee apostles with passionate anger.  He had already taught about the peril of those who obstruct children coming to Him (Mark 9:42).  He made it plain once again, "let them come" ... "do not hinder".  The Kingdom is not for self-important religious officials (who the disciples were in danger of imitating), but for all who will come and receive (John 1:12; Revelation 3:20).  He affirmed His words by reaching out to the youngsters, holding them and blessing them.  How humiliating for the disciples – side-lined by children who wanted to receive Jesus' blessing.  Which of them had ever humbly wanted His blessing?  None: they were competing to be the greatest in Jesus' government (Mark 8:34) when He took over the country (or so they thought).  Even after this episode they still had not got the message, because James and John still wanted to be greater than the others (Mark 10:35-37).

This narrative is not about putting children on a pedestal, nor worshipping them as idols.  Neither is it to say that they are innocent, and therefore worthy of the Master's attention (Psalm 51:5).  They certainly were not innocent, but they did want to receive His blessing – which is why they came to Him.  It is only adults who think that they have to earn everything, or get it for themselves.  Children know that they need all the help and love that they can get.  And if we have the gospel truth we should give it to our children so that they might learn to trust Jesus.  That is true of everybody.  So, let's stop making faith in Jesus complicated.  Let us simply explain God's grace to anybody who will listen - children, adults and older people; friends and colleagues and family – inviting them to receive Jesus (www.crosscheck.org.uk).