A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME      

Matthew 19:13-15 “Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.” 

At one time the Christian parents of a new born couldn’t wait to schedule the baptism of their newborn with their pastor. In fact, many would discuss the baptism of their baby with their pastor well before its birth. The parents carefully and prayerfully chose the sponsors (God parents) for their baby. In asking prospective sponsors to serve in this role, they requested them to make a solemn promise to pray for their child daily, assist them in their role as parents in raising the child as a Christian and especially elicited a commitment from them that in the event both parents died before the child was an adult they would personally take responsibility for the Christian upbringing of their God Child.   

Today, more and more parents are delaying baptizing their babies until they are as much as two or three years of age. Other parents decline to have their children baptized stating that they would wait for their child to ask to be baptized before arranging it. Worse yet, they decline to do anything to encourage their child(ren) to be baptized.   

Jesus’ message is still His message. “Let the little children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) On another occasion, Jesus used strong language in regard to an adult interfering with the faith of a “little one:” “It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” (Luke 17:2) 

Babies are conceived and born sinners. They need God’s forgiveness as do adults. Jesus died and rose again for them. Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Baptism for the washing away of the sins of those who are baptized. This includes babies and young children.   

Prayer: Use me Lord to encourage those in my family and those I know who have unbaptized babies and children to bring them to the baptismal font to receive the forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil and eternal salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.   

A Hymn Often Sung at the Baptism of a Baby 

See this wonder in the making   
God Himself this child is taking  
As a lamb safe in His keeping,  
His to be, awake or sleeping. 

Miracle each time it happens  
As the door to heaven opens  
And the Father beams, “Beloved.   
Heir of gifts a king would covet!” 

Far more tender than a mother,  
Far more caring than a father,  
God, into Your arms we place him/her/them,  
With Your love and peace embrace him/her/them. 

Here we bring a child of nature;  
Home we take a new-born creature,  
Now God’s precious son or daughter,   
Born again by Word and water.  

See This Wonder in the Making // LSB 593