Bible in a Year - Women’s Thematic Reading Plan | Day 210

Day 210 of the Women’s Bible Plan: Read Mark 10:13-16 and reflect on Jesus welcoming, embracing, and blessing the little children. Through this passage, we are reminded that one of the most important callings in parenting, family life, and spiritual care is not merely to lead children toward achievement, comparison, and pressure, but to bring them to the Lord, where they may be received, loved, blessed, and guided by Christ.

🌸  Dear Sister, welcome to Day 210 of our reading journey. 

In family life, children often bring laughter, but also busyness; sweetness, but also exhaustion. We care about their health, learning, character, future, and faith. We also may feel overwhelmed by their emotions, needs, resistance, weaknesses, or struggles as they grow.

Sometimes adults may begin to see children as interruptions—interruptions to plans, noise in quiet spaces, people who need constant care, who do not yet understand, and who cannot yet contribute much. Even in spiritual life, adults may unconsciously think, “They are still too young; they do not understand yet,” and place children at the edge of faith rather than near the center of care.

But Mark Chapter 10 shows us that Jesus sees children differently. When people brought young children to Him so that He would touch them, the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Yet when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased and said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

A Minute of Grace

Mark 10:13-16 records a brief but deeply tender scene. People brought young children to Jesus, hoping He would touch and bless them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought the children, perhaps thinking the children were not important enough, or that they should not interrupt Jesus.

Jesus’ response was strong. Scripture says that when Jesus saw it, He was “much displeased.” He did not treat this as a small matter. He clearly said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Jesus not only welcomed the children; He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.

This passage reminds us that children are not secondary in the eyes of God. They do not have to wait until they are older, more useful, more mature, better behaved, or more impressive before they are welcomed by the Lord. Children come with simplicity, dependence, need, and softness of heart—and Jesus receives them.

For parents, grandparents, teachers, Sunday school workers, spiritual mentors, and all who care for the next generation, this passage gives a gentle but clear reminder: we are not meant to become obstacles between children and Jesus. We are called to be those who bring them near to Him. Our responsibility is not only to lead children toward grades, manners, talents, success, and human approval, but above all to bring them to Jesus, so they may know His love, hear His Word, and receive His blessing.

Today’s theme, “Jesus Blesses the Little Children,” invites us to reflect: How do we see children? Do we receive them with the eyes of Jesus? In our homes and churches, do we create room for children to come near to the Lord, or do we unknowingly keep them away through busyness, control, comparison, correction, or indifference?

Whispers for the Heart

1 The disciples rebuked those who brought the children, but Jesus welcomed the children. Have you ever, in busyness, tiredness, or pressure, treated a child’s need as an interruption? How does this passage help you see again how precious children are in the eyes of the Lord?

2 Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” In your family or ministry, what might be preventing children from coming near to the Lord? Is it too much pressure around achievement, a lack of presence, faith reduced to rules, or the anxiety and impatience of adults?

3 Jesus took the children up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them. Are you willing to accompany children with more blessing, prayer, listening, and acceptance, rather than only commands, correction, and comparison? What is one practical way this week that you can bring a child into the love of Christ?

As you read Mark 10:13-16 today, do not see this passage only as a warm picture of Jesus with children. Let it also shine light on how we view children, family, education, and spiritual formation. Jesus welcomes children, and He calls us to become people who bring children to Him.

Take a quiet breath before you begin. Bring the children you love, the family relationships on your heart, and the weariness and hope of parenting or caring for the next generation before the Lord, and let His Word meet you there.

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🪕 Response Hymn: 

Mark 10:13-16 (KJV)

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

🪕 Response Hymn: 

💡 Closing Thought ·  Bringing Children to Jesus

After reading Mark 10:13-16, we see how Jesus views children. He did not consider them too small. He did not treat them as interruptions. He did not allow the disciples to keep them away. He welcomed them, held them, and blessed them. This picture reminds us that children are not on the margins of spiritual life. They are welcomed by the Lord Himself.

As we close this page and return to real family life and daily routines, children may still cry, talk back, make mistakes, and need repeated teaching. Parents and caregivers may still feel tired, anxious, and short on patience. But remember this: our most important task is not to shape children into people who simply satisfy human expectations, but to bring them again and again to Jesus.

May today’s Scripture remind you to see children with the eyes of the Lord, uphold them in prayer, nourish them with words of blessing, and accompany them with gentle and firm love. May our homes and churches become places where children can come safely to the Lord and experience His love and blessing.

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