He Took Them in His Arms: Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus for him to touch—infants in arms, toddlers clinging to mothers' robes, older children pushed forward by hopeful parents. They wanted the rabbi's blessing, his hands on their heads, his prayer over their lives.

The disciples rebuked them. They were gatekeepers now, managing access to Jesus, deciding who deserved his time. Important people deserved his attention. Children could wait.

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.

The word Mark uses is strong—righteous anger, the same word used when Jesus would later drive merchants from the temple. The disciples' dismissal of children ignited something fierce in him.