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Christ and the Children

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Christ and the Children

16 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

The Lord by the means of Moses gives a solemn warning unto parents. Parents have to teach their children the ordinances of the Lord who has shown them so many signs and wonders and led them out of the house of bondage. We read of this warning in Deuteronomy 6:24, “And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.”

Parents are divinely appointed teachers. Our form for the confirmation of marriage addresses this issue by stating that they (parents) bring up their children which the Lord gives them “in the true knowledge and fear of the Lord, to His glory, and their salvation.” The Lord also commanded His people in Israel in Deuteronomy 11:19, “And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Thus when we read God’s Word, the bringing up of our children is first of all a task for the parents. They may not shirk their duty and turn this task over unto others. God’s command comes to them to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord.

The education of our children is also the task of the church. The Lord Jesus spoke to His disciples in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” This teaching is not only directed toward the sheep of the flock, but also to the lambs; that is, not only to adults, but also to children. Our Reformed forefathers, therefore, steadfastly promoted the education of children by the parents, but also in catechism classes, and in the schools. Also the leaders of the “Second Reformation” (Nadere Reformatie) emphasized the need for good, biblical instruction. By the use of overtures from Classes and Synods they urged the government to provide schools wherein the Reformed doctrine would be taught.

They noted, however, that even the most powerful preaching at church services, and sincere, faithful catechizing will be in vain if it is not supported and reinforced in the home. That is one of the reasons that a strong family unit is so important. Satan knows this also, and that is why he tries now more than ever to ruin and destroy a Christian, biblically-based family life.

Christ Himself showed compassion and love to the children who were brought unto Him. It is a shame, when we neglect the physical well-being of our children by not providing them with the necessities of life or caring for their emotional needs. Although it is unnatural, there are parents who do not show any love or affection to their own flesh and blood, so that these children frequently develop unhealthy attitudes, and may become mean, cruel, and indifferent themselves. Fortunately, these parents are in the minority. Most parents would sacrifice almost everything to help their children obtain a good education and a good position in life.

It is good to be concerned about our children’s temporal welfare but, dear parents, do you also, as “teachers,” care for the souls of your children? Do you also bring your children to Jesus in prayer, and in using the means of grace, or are you an obstacle or a stumblingblock to them? We can be an obstacle by our own indifference, worldliness, and permissiveness. Children are very observant and soon notice if we are not upright and sincere, or that the education we give them is just a formality and is done without any true desire to lead them in the path to true happiness and peace.

We see such an example in the life of Lot. He pointed none of his family, relatives, or friends towards heaven to be instruments in God’s hand. There was not one amongst them who feared the Lord. When Lot went out to speak to his sons-in-law, warning them to flee the judgments which were coming over Sodom, he seemed to them as one that mocked. It was as if they said, “Why should we listen to you?” They did not believe his words because they had no respect for his life. Even Lot’s wife, who left the city with him, had no faith to see the need for a speedy flight. She looked back towards Sodom despite the plain command not to do so. In this it is obvious that she did not show any reverence for the words of her husband. Lot seems to have stood alone in his family. He was not used as the means of conversion for any one of them. This was no wonder because his family knew his life, and they despised it.

Children understand and feel when parents are inconsistent, and they will come to the sad, but natural conclusion that their parents do not really believe in what they tell them, because otherwise they would lead a different life. A child will always be more observant of what you do than of what you say.


We must never suppose that this bringing to Jesus can he delayed or postponed.


What a blessing it is if we, by grace, may do what we read in Mark 10:13, “And they brought young children to Him that He should touch them.” These parents did not send their children to Him. These children were evidently very young, and probably could not walk by themselves. They were examples of dependency and helplessness, but there were loving arms to carry them to Jesus. They were not too young to be blessed by Him. The great Head of the church took time to take special notice of these young children. Although His time on earth was precious, and adults were perishing on every side for lack of knowledge, He did not esteem children to be of little importance. He declared by His outward gesture and deed His good will towards them. And He has left on record words concerning them which His church should never forget, namely, “of such is the kingdom of God.”

We must never suppose that this bringing to Jesus can be delayed or postponed. Children are never too young to learn wickedness and sin, for the root of such activity lies in their young hearts already. Therefore they are never too young to receive religious impressions. In their childlike way they think about God, their souls, and eternity far sooner than most parents realize. Each child has a conscience for God has mercifully not left Himself without witness in their hearts, fallen and corrupt though they are. Each one has a soul, parents and teachers, which is created for a never ending eternity, and that soul will live forever either in heaven or hell. What a great responsibility is laid upon educators, be they parents, teachers, or office-bearers!

We notice, moreover, the foolishness of those who lived daily with Jesus, for the disciples rebuked those who brought their children to Jesus. We would have expected the disciples to encourage the mothers to bring their children to Him, but they considered it a waste of His time if their Master had to deal with such little ones. This shows us that even God’s children can be obstacles on the way. Their rebuke of the children’s coming to Jesus arose from their ignorance of these children’s needs. If a mother had told them that “I must bring my child to the Master because he is afflicted with a devil,” neither Peter nor James nor John would have stood in the way, but would have assisted by bringing that child to the Savior. If another mother had brought a child who was sick and emaciated to have Jesus lay His hands upon him to heal him, then the disciples would have made way for that mother to bring her dear child to Him. But the disciples did not realize that those young children, although they were in good health, had a great need for the blessing of the Savior’s grace. We have a great responsibility not to hinder our children from coming to Christ. This does not mean that our children have any desire or ability by nature to come unto Him. They also have turned their backs upon God. They also have a corrupt heart wherein there is no desire to turn unto Him or be saved by free grace as a bankrupt sinner.

It is God’s work alone to draw a sinner out of darkness into His marvelous light, and to make room in our hearts for the all-sufficient and complete Savior. No man can come unto Him except the Father, who has sent Christ, draw him. But they have to be brought unto Him. Therefore the Lord uses instruments, sinful and incapable in themselves, as a tool in His hand to lead sinners unto Him. Teachers also can be used in this manner. Simple words spoken in sincerity and a life adorned with the fear of God can be blessed. Prayers arising as a cry of a longing soul, pleading for the salvation of our children, can be answered and crowned with God-glorifying fruits.


To alter the signposts on the road to the city of refuge or to dig a trench across that road would be an inhumane act, deserving the sternest condemnation.


If we are obstacles and hinder children from coming to Christ, we are guilty of a great sin. He is the only way of salvation by which we may escape the wrath of God and the terrible judgment that is due to sin. Wouldn’t it be a terrible sin to keep the perishing from that way? To alter the signposts on the road to the city of refuge or to dig a trench across that road would be an inhumane act, deserving the sternest condemnation. He who holds back a soul from the only Mediator and Savior is used as an instrument of Satan who wills that no one come to Him and be saved. Have not many of us done exactly that? If we, as parents and teachers, speak of the necessity of being born again, of receiving a new heart, of the preciousness of the service of God, and the blessedness of that people “who know the joyful sound” (and we hope you do), but do not show a high esteem for God and His people, nor a sincere desire for and seeking after these indispensable benefits ourselves, then we hinder our children. If our children hear of the life of God’s people, a separate people of pilgrims and strangers on earth, and of the service of God, but see how our lives are geared toward money, prosperity, and worldly pleasures, then we hinder our children and we bring the world in our homes and allow our children to be poisoned by the destructive influence of television and movies, then we hinder our children.

Oh, how awful it will be if, in the day of judgment, our children will be lost because we have hindered them by our deeds and examples. For in the place of eternal darkness there will be no natural love and our children will accuse us, saying that we are guilty for not warning them, and for not living according to our confession. Parents will be accused of not evoking a holy jealousy in their children, and of not following the example of those mothers who brought their children to Jesus.

You may ask, but how can I bring my children to Him? How can I perform this impossible task? It is our hope that there may be many parents and teachers who feel the heaviness of the task which is laid upon them, and who know that they are utterly unable to bring forth any good fruit. Parents and teachers, who know that in and of themselves they cannot pray and do not have the necessary wisdom to speak to their children, such parents and teachers may beg at God’s throne of grace to be helped by Him. He will give wisdom unto fools, light unto the blind, and make intercession for those who do not know how to pray as they ought. He is the all-sufficient Savior who can give us everything we need, out of His fullness.

Matthew Henry speaks of four ways whereby we may bring our children to Christ:

By dedicating them unto Him.

It is blasphemy to alienate children from Him and His service, and to sacrifice or dedicate them to the service of the world and of the flesh. Children are privileged if they may have educators such as Hannah, the mother of Samuel, who dedicate and sacrifice them unto Him who is able to do for them what they are unable to do for themselves.

By our prayers for them.

We must bring our children to Christ in our prayers as those who are cast upon Him. Do we know what it means to cast our children upon Him as poor unworthy supplicants? This should be our daily prayer. Oh, where are the wrestlers at God’s throne for our youth?

By surrendering them unto His divine providence.

Christ knows better than we what is good for us and our children. When we surrender our children to His divine providence, then one will be made subject to His will, with faith that He will be sanctified, and then we will have peace. By bringing them under the means of grace. We must bring them where the Most High rides prosperously, and where His arrows of love penetrate the hearts of the king’s enemies. May we bring them there often even in their early years with the prayer in our hearts as the poet of Psalm 45:3 expressed it, “Gird Thy sword upon thy thigh, O Most Mighty, with Thy glory and Thy majesty.” With that sword Christ, the Most Mighty, will subdue His enemies under Him. We must teach them in the family as soon as they can understand, but also bring them to worship services as soon as they are able to attend. That is what we must do; we cannot do less. It is God alone who by His Spirit, can graciously crown it with His blessing. He is sovereign over all. He is the Great Potter; we are unworthy, but in Him there is hope and expectation.


In January’s issue we printed John Newton’s “‘Tis a Point I Long To Know,” and received considerable response from various individuals who feel this describes their case. Daniel Herbert wrote an equally remarkable poem in answer to John Newton’s, reprinted below, which we trust those who are truly wrought upon by God will be able to experientially identify with in equal measure. — JRB


Matthew Henry also warns against a formal, legalistic religion. Our children must come to the realization that they are lost and corrupt, but also to the realization of how much they need Christ.

In conclusion, Matthew Henry warns parents to be careful what positions they seek for their children in this world, so that when they are adults, the foundations which have been laid in their youth are not destroyed. Our goal for them should not be prosperity, prominence, or honorable positions, but what is best for their never dying souls. Consider that when they ask you for guidance relative to occupation, education, or their choice of a life’s partner — a husband or wife. Worldly and carnal motives must have no place in these decisions. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things shall be added unto thee.”

Matthew Henry’s lessons are still applicable in educating our youth of today. May the Lord grant grace to seek and to practice these goals, to the glory of His Name, so that His church may be built up even in these dark days. May the eternal welfare of our children be upheld.

What Is This Point You Long To Know

What is this point you long to know?
Me thinks I hear you say ‘tis this,
‘I want to know I’m born of God,
An heir of everlasting bliss.

Is this the point you long to know?
The point is settled in my view;
For if you want to love your God,
It proves He first has loved you.

I want to know Christ died for me,
I want to feel the seal within;
I want to know Christ’s precious blood,
Was shed to wash away my sin.

I want to feel more love to Christ,
I want more liberty in prayer;
But when I look within my heart,
It almost drives me to despair.

I want a mind more firmly fixed,
On Christ, my everlasting Head;
I want to feel my soul alive,
And not so barren, or so dead.

I want more faith, a stronger faith,
I want to feel its power within;
I want to feel more love to God,
I want to feel less love to sin.

I want to live above the world,
And count it all but trash and toys;
I want more tokens of God’s grace,
Some foretaste of eternal joys.

I wantI know not what I want,
I want that real, special good;
Yet all my wants are summed up here,
I want to love! I want my God!

Is this the point you long to know?
The dead can neither feel nor see;
It is the slave that’s bound in chains,
That knows the worth of liberty.

So where a want like this is found,
I think I may be bold to say;
That God has fixed within thy heart,
What hell can never take away.

However small thy grace appears,
There’s plenty in the living Head;
These wants you feel, my Christian friend,
Were never found amongst the dead.

— Daniel Herbert

Rev. C Vogelaar is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van woensdag 1 maart 1989

The Banner of Truth | 28 Pagina's

Christ and the Children

Bekijk de hele uitgave van woensdag 1 maart 1989

The Banner of Truth | 28 Pagina's