In 1963 the U.S. Supreme court banned prayer and Bible study in public schools, and in doing so, brought upon themselves the rebuke of Jesus Christ recorded in Mark 10:14 - "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these".
How many children have grown up in a culture which tacitly taught that there was something so wrong with prayer and the Bible that it was necessary to ban them from the public schools? And what were the eight of nine supreme court justices and the plaintiffs so afraid of, that they would apply such twisted logic to interpret the Constitution so inaccurately? Read the article at www.allabouthistory.org/school-prayer.htm for the full story.
In Jesus' day, His own disciples were doing this very same thing - trying to prevent the children from touching Him and being blessed. We know He is indignant today as He was then. But made a way for us to come to Him at any age - and no power on earth can prevent it. "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (Mark 10:15, emphasis mine). What is it to become "like" a little child?
- Curious
- Open to learning new things
- A heart that has not been hardened by the cruelty of this world
>Even if one or more of these traits are lacking in you now, God can prepare you over time and circumstances to bring you into His kingdom. There is no shame in critical thinking - those who challenge and investigate fully the truth receive the blessing, too.