Chapter 12: The Children’s Champion: A Righteous Rage
The incident where Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me” was said in anger at the people who were keeping them from him. This is rarely captured in the sermons and art on this text. Jesus had a passion for children.
What Set Him Off? Only three times in the texts is Jesus portrayed as angry. In this case, it probably all started with the argument among his disciples about who was the greatest of them.
Miniature Role Model. Jesus used a small child to give them a role model.
Perfectly Clear. Jesus makes his point perfectly clear, a radical shift in the then current attitude towards children.
Distracted? Apparently the disciples didn’t get the message because not long after they are hindering the children from coming to Jesus. He rebukes them angrily and makes the point again.
Encore. In the next chapter John records the triumphant entry in Jerusalem where children are part of the jubilant crowd.