Jesus Corrects His Disciples for Blocking the Children from Coming to Him
We are in a series to find out what Peter’s failures show us about Jesus’ character. Mostly of the time we find that Peter’s failures and sin reveals Jesus’ patience and instruction. This reveals God’s patience and instruction when we fail or sin. In this post and the next we will see that sometimes Jesus adds “correction” or “discipline” to His patience and instruction. However, Jesus never rejects Peter personally nor with regard to Peter’s leadership.
Let’s take a second look at Jesus with the children in Mk 10:13-16. Some months ago we reviewed this passage and saw the delightful tenderness of Jesus with the little children that are coming to Him. Jesus doesn’t just pat them on the head but He puts His arms around them and blesses them. He holds the children and enjoys them. In any given passage of the bible you often find multiple character aspects of Jesus in the same event. This is true here. In this passage you will also find Jesus “indignant” or “furious” with the disciples! They are trying to keep the little children from being able to come close to Jesus and the Master has “clean anger” about this. Jesus “corrects” or disciplines His followers by commanding them not to block or hinder the little children from coming to Him! He doesn’t reject the disciples, instead he sees that it is time for correction so that they can change their actions. It is time to grow!
When you see there is no rejection in Jesus’ actions, you can actually “delight” in His intensity to correct His followers. His correction is good because it will protect and bless the community that is influenced by His followers.
It is noteworthy to review where Jesus exercises patience and instruction and where Jesus brings correction. Peter’s lack of understanding a parable, his failure to continue walking on water or his selfish ambition regarding greatness reveal Jesus’ patience and instruction. However, when the disciples prevent the children from coming to Jesus, the Master corrects them!
Interestingly, this is similar to the time that Jesus “cleanses” the temple. He kicks over the tables of the money exchangers, releases all the animals and drives the people out with a whip. Is He just going wild? Absolutely NOT! Jesus is attacking the system of extortion setup by the Pharisees that is hindering the people from being able to come to God and get saved! It is the same thing with the Disciples hindering the children from coming to Jesus. In the case of the temple He is dealing with “rebellious” Pharisees that should know better and are refusing to repent. In the second case He is dealing with the “immature” disciples who are repenting but are still confused about what to do in certain situations. In the case of the temple, the Pharisees draw out His wrath. In the second case the disciples foolishness draw out His clean anger, with some correction, but no rejection. Rebellion and immaturity are two very different things in Jesus’ eyes!
Jesus wholesome correction leads to the disciples changing their ways. Jesus correction reveals God’s correction because “God Is Just Like Jesus.” (John 14:9)
Prayer: Jesus, I was always afraid of your intensity or anger… I always saw some form of rejection. I delight to see that your anger is clean and it can bring correction without any rejection! This makes me, truly, love you more. You are the definition of “healthy!” I love your compassion and humility… but I am starting to love your clean anger that leads to correction and healthy discipline! You are amazing!
