When Jesus gathered little ones on his lap, what did He say to them?1 We know the exact phrasing of His rebuke for some adults who tried to monopolize His attention, yet we're left to speculate about the speech He addressed to that tight circle at His knees.
It's possible He uttered these words:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.2
These were words given by God to Moses and Aaron centuries before, words He wanted His priests to use when blessing His people.
If it was this prayer, or one like it, did anyone listening catch his breath in awe, realizing that the one who spoke was the Great High Priest? Did anyone notice that the face beaming down on the children was that of God incarnate? Did anyone consider at that moment that the King of kings was indeed graciously accommodating the parents' request and entertaining their children? Probably not.
Nevertheless, the Lord of the universe was actually blessing them with His presence and not just expressing a wishful hope or prayer. The Savior of the world was here to make peace with God for them by shedding His blood on the cross. This is the blessing that all of His children enjoy.
Other blessings from the Old Testament:
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:12
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he who considers the poor. Psalm 41:1
Blessed is the man who You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law. Psalm 94:12
Blessed are those who keep justice. Psalm 106:3
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord! Psalm 119:1
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. Psalm 128:1
No matter what it was He said, Jesus took time to reveal His patience, tenderness, and compassion for children. The love of a parent or grandparent only dimly mirrors the great mercy of God toward the weak, helpless, feeble and humble. And Jesus expects His followers' lives to conform to His pattern.
About the drawing: "The Blessing," by Connie Berg Vander Stel, lovingly depicts her father, the late Bernie Berg, praying a blessing over one of his great-grandchildren (number 61 at the time). The staff of Baptists for Life considers him our patriarch, too. He and wife Anna raised a family of 12, several of whom have been involved with BFL. In our early days, he volunteered his services as an accountant; he picketed a local abortion clinic until infirmity prevented him from continuing. All the while, Bernie was one of our most ardent prayer-warriors.
In order to remember his faithful record of pro-life perseverance, Baptists for Life raised funds to build a home in Bernie and Anna's name for the Bethesda Project. This ministry of Evangelical Baptist Missions cares for children orphaned by AIDS in South Africa. Bernie and Anna's love for children, born and unborn, was and is an inspiration.
Will you help us bless the children?
1. Mark 10:13-16
2. Numbers 6:24-26
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