Luke 18:15-16 Now they were bringing even infants to HIM that HE might touch them: and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 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.…” [Revised Standard translation]
Mark 10:14 But when JESUS saw it [that the disciples were rebuking those who were bringing the young children], 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. [King James translation]
Biblical Comment
The story of JESUS blessing the little children is in several of the gospels. (See also Matthew 19:14) It is recorded that people started bringing babies and little children to JESUS so HE would touch them and bless them. The crowd must have been large because the disciples stepped in and started to redirect them away. But JESUS stopped the disciples saying, “suffer the children” or let them come to me, because the Kingdom of GOD belong to such as these.
Many believe the King James translations using the word “suffer”comes from the old English translation of the word which means “permit” or “allow” or “do not forbid it.”
Some believe that this scripture was to show that no one is too old or too young to be brought to JESUS. Others believe that this scripture points out that children are humble, trusting, and unpretentious—and that this is how JESUS wants us to come to GOD.
Still others believe that the very nature of children is dependency (they need someone to feed them, provide clothing and shelter and make sure their needs are met) and that if we approach GOD seeking HIS provision, and recognize GOD as our GREAT PROVIDER, we are acknowledging our relationship to GOD and HIS to us. We are acknowledging that we simply need HIM for everything.
Finally, there are others who believe that this is just part of JESUS’ teachings about children and his teachings about “greatness.” Like today and all times in history, “greatness” has always been a human “obsession.” People often want to know who is the greatest basketball player, the greatest baseball player, the greatest actor, the greatest president, the greatest entertainer, the greatest world leader, greatest businessperson, greatest preacher, greatest “whatever.” Whatever the sport, the title, the office, someone will always want to be at the top or greater than someone else. The disciples were not immune from the desire to try to want to be or know who was “the greatest.” When they asked JESUS who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, JESUS just grabbed a little child and set the child in the midst of them. (Mathew 18:1)
JESUS left no doubt that HE cared about children and that children should not be overlooked. Instead of being focused on human greatness, JESUS hopes that we would realize our position as “all of GOD’s children” and focus on GOD’s GREATNESS instead of our own.
FOCUSING ON THE CHILDREN
In an article entitled, “Most American kids aren’t getting enough physical activity—and could wind up costing the US billions,” Bruce Y Lee and Marie Ferguson discuss the fact that too little physical activity now may ultimately result in heart attacks, diabetes, cancer and what they call “billions of dollars” of “avoidable” health care costs in the future.
According to Lee and Ferguson, a healthy level of activity, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association is about “25 minutes of high-calorie-burning physical activity three times a week.” However, less that 1/3 of American children are reaching that goal.
Given these outcomes, Lee and Ferguson looked at various outcomes. They concluded the following:
- If physical activity among children remains the same as it is now, more than 8 million youths would be overweight or obese at 18 years of age.
- If the percentage of children who are “active to a healthy level” increased from 33 percent to 50 percent, the number of obese and overweight youth would decrease by almost 350,000 (4.2 percent),z which would save $8.1 billion in direct medical costs and $13.8 billion in lost productivity each year.
- If 75 percent of children were to reach the “active to a healthy level,” we would avert $16.6 billion in direct medical costs and $23.6 billion in lost productivity.
- If all children reached the “active to a healthy level,” that would reduce the percentage or overweight and obese youths by 15 percent and save $26.3 billion in direct medical costs and $36 billion in lost productivity. Fifteen percent may not sound like a lot, but it is actually quite significant since rates of overweight and obesity have been increasing.
See, “Most American kids aren’t getting enough physical activity—and could wind up costing the US billions,” by Bruce Y Lee and Marie Ferguson, May 22, 2017, www.businessinsider.com/kids-not-getting-physical-activity-cost-2017-5.
Physical exercise for youth and children should not only be measured economically but viewed as essential to simple growth and development. WebMD notes that exercise and fitness for children and youth:
- Makes them breathe harder, thus strengthening their hearts;
- Makes their muscles stronger. For example, when they play on playground equipment, do sit-ups, or use other equipment;
- Makes their bones stronger. For example, when they run, jump rope, dance, play basketball or other sports, like baseball, tennis or soccer.
In general, exercise and vigorous exercise for children and youth have the same benefits and outcomes as those for adults.
Parents, schools, churches, youth organizations, temples, community organizations should all refocus on the children, asking are we doing enough to give them what they need---spiritually and in terms of exercise and fitness.
Suffer the Children or Let the Children Suffer
Just as children and youth gain a greater understanding of their bibles by seeing their parents read the bible, they can also gain a greater understanding of exercise and fitness by seeing their parents, relatives and others exercising and striving for physical fitness too. We can all contribute to the health of our children and youth.
Our healthy choices, our concern for exercise programs in schools, in our communities, in our places of worship could allow the children and our youth to grow to become healthy adults. On the other hand, our indifference to our own diets, physical level of fitness may be setting the stage not only for our own physical decline but providing a pattern for the children and youth around us. Pray that we pay attention to ourselves and our children and youth.
As children and youth and college students return to school, pray GOD’s blessings on all of them. Pray for their school teachers, their community teachers, and their places of worship teachers. Pray for children not only in America but everywhere.
Pray for their and our physical and spiritual growth and GOD’s protection of us all.
Pray for all of GOD’s children and BE BLESSED!
