42. Bring the Children to Me (Mark 10:13-16)

Jesus' lessons in humble service expand from marriage to children, as Jesus reverses the dismissive attitudes of many by commanding that the children be permitted to come to him. Jesus blessed the children, laying his hands on them in a tender and remarkable display of goodness toward those hardly able to respond or understand what what happening. Many have seen in this a gentle hint in the direction of infant baptism, by which Jesus continues to touch and bless those brought by faithful parents for a blessing, mark, and seal of God's favor.