Jesus Blesses the Children
They were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."
MARK 10:13-14
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Jesus Blesses the Children
Interpret these words of Christ as you please, we have [to conclude] that children are to be brought to Christ and are not to be hindered; when they are brought to Him, then He compels us to believe that He blesses them and gives them the kingdom of heaven, as He does for these children. It is proper for us to act and believe in no other way, as long as the words stand: "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them" [Matthew 19:14]. No less is it proper for us to believe that when they are brought to Him, He will embrace them, lay His hands on them, bless them, and give them heaven, as long as this text stands that He blessed and gave heaven to the children who were brought to Him. Who can ignore this text? Who, on the other hand, will be so bold as not to allow little children to come to Baptism or not to believe that He blesses them when they come to Him? He is just as present in Baptism now as He was then. Because we Christians certainly know this, we dare not keep Baptism away from children. So also we dare not doubt that He blesses all who come to Him, just as He blessed those [children].
From the Church Postil, sermon for Epiphany 3 on Matthew 8:1-13 (Luther's Works 76:262)
MARK 10:13-14
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Jesus Blesses the Children
Interpret these words of Christ as you please, we have [to conclude] that children are to be brought to Christ and are not to be hindered; when they are brought to Him, then He compels us to believe that He blesses them and gives them the kingdom of heaven, as He does for these children. It is proper for us to act and believe in no other way, as long as the words stand: "Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them" [Matthew 19:14]. No less is it proper for us to believe that when they are brought to Him, He will embrace them, lay His hands on them, bless them, and give them heaven, as long as this text stands that He blessed and gave heaven to the children who were brought to Him. Who can ignore this text? Who, on the other hand, will be so bold as not to allow little children to come to Baptism or not to believe that He blesses them when they come to Him? He is just as present in Baptism now as He was then. Because we Christians certainly know this, we dare not keep Baptism away from children. So also we dare not doubt that He blesses all who come to Him, just as He blessed those [children].
From the Church Postil, sermon for Epiphany 3 on Matthew 8:1-13 (Luther's Works 76:262)
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