This Sunday we’ll be dedicating a baby to the Lord using Luke 18:15-17:

“Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Parents were bringing their infants to Jesus but the disciples rebuked the parents for doing so. Bad Parents? Nope. Bad Disciples! Jesus wants the infants because the kingdom belongs to them. Question: When is the right time to start evangelizing your offspring? Answer: As soon as they are born. These were not 5 year olds. They were infants who had to be carried by their parents and Jesus wanted to bless them.

The dedication of a child to God is not only for the child but also for the Parent. Using the above passage, I’ll offer these points of exhortation and encouragement to dad and mom this Lord’s Day:

1. Dad and Mom surrender Ultimate Control of their baby to Jesus Christ:
   1. For salvation
   2. For health and safety
   3. For sanctification
2. Dad and Mom worship Jesus Christ as Lord, not the Child
   1. Children are a heritage from the Lord, not Self-Identity and Self-Worth Props.
   2. Children are to be raised to leave, not raised to cleave
3. Dad and Mom Rest in the Gospel, and therefore have . . .
   1. Relief from Performance/Perfection-based Parenting
   2. Relief from Hiding and Denying Personal Sin
   3. Relief from Unnecessary Guilt

Parenting is a surrendering of the child to God’s Loving and Sovereign right of ownership – God created the child in the womb, not man. Parenting is therefore a stewardship. Dad and Mom have in their possession, for a time, a human who is made in the image of God to be raised to reflect that image – not the parents image, for they too are image-bearers of Him who created all things for His glory.

If you are parenting, may the Lord equip you with grace today for this blessed, yet temporal calling upon your life.