Matthew 19:13-15
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought 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.
I believe we live in a day and age when many truly long to know the peace, joy, and freedom of the kingdom of heaven. Living in such a broken and needy world, we can see the multitude around us, and maybe even ourselves, caught up in trying to lay their (our) hands on things of this world for an immediate yet temporary pleasure and relief. Yet in our hearts, when we search in the innermost depths of who we are, we long for and know that there is something more, something greater… a kingdom of heaven. Oh how we long to touch the kingdom of heaven, and not just touch it but know it.
I recently was sitting next to a man who openly shared with me of the impact of being touched by someone who has been very important in my own life, my spiritual father and mentor, Mike. The man next to me shared how when he was quite young and attending a camp meeting, Mike sat across from him and reached out to him. The touch may not have been a physical laying on of hands in that moment but, as Mike (a missionary well known in our denomination) asked this man (young boy at the time) about his time, experience, and desires in life, the impact that was felt by the little boy was so dramatic that it still is carried with him to this day, as he is now a grown man also serving the Lord as a missionary. Mike reached out an touched a child, prayed for him, blessed him, and helped him to recognize his own value and contribution to the kingdom of heaven. Mike’s touch was upon the kingdom of heaven.
I humbly suggest that we should be trying to touch the kingdom of heaven even while we are here on earth. For Jesus clearly declared that the kingdom of heaven is for such as the little children. Let us move forward really touching them, laying our hands upon them, and praying for them! There are so many that need a healthy, appropriate, genuine touch of love that reflects God, and that touches them in this moment and enables them to know that we bless them and are with them as well. While sometimes physically laying hands on the child may not be appropriate, we can bless and touch the children of today by loving them and praying for them… and when opportunity permits then by all means lay your hands upon them and pray over them! May we not be found guilty of the same dismissive attitude toward children that Jesus’ own disciples possessed. You may never truly know the incredible impact you have upon the life of a little one, just by speaking with them and/or asking to lay your hand upon them and pray blessing over them!! Let’s touch the kingdom of heaven even today!! What child have you reached out to love and bless today??
