Read Mark 10:13–16. What did Jesus do for those who brought children to Him?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________While children were greatly desired in the ancient world (particularlyboys in the male-dominant culture), birth and childhood were not easy.Without modern medical care, the risks to mothers in giving birth andto newborns, infants, and children were elevated. Many cultures hadtraditional medicines and amulets used to protect these vulnerableindividuals against malevolent forces.While children were desired, they were of low social status, along thelines of slaves, actually (Gal. 4:1, 2). In the Greco-Roman world, thosewho were deformed or undesirable would be exposed, or even tossedin a river. Boys were valued over girls; sometimes girl babies were leftto die among the elements. At times these abandoned babies were “rescued,” only to be raised and sold as slaves.The disciples appear not to have understood Jesus’ teaching in Mark9 about receiving the kingdom of God like a child (Mark 9:33–37).Now they rebuke those who brought children to Jesus for blessing,perhaps thinking that He would not have time for such a simple task.They were wrong. Jesus is indignant. Throughout Mark, Jesus hassome striking reactions to people, and it is instructive that one of Hisstrong reactions was toward people who were keeping children awayfrom Him.He strongly insists that the disciples must not stand in the way of thechildren. Why? Because the kingdom of God belongs to them, and onemust receive it in the attitude and outlook of a child—probably a reference to simple, implicit trust in God.“Let not your un-Christlike character misrepresent Jesus. Do notkeep the little ones away from Him by your coldness and harshness.Never give them cause to feel that heaven would not be a pleasant placeto them if you were there. Do not speak of religion as something thatchildren cannot understand, or act as if they were not expected to acceptChrist in their childhood. Do not give them the false impression thatthe religion of Christ is a religion of gloom, and that in coming to theSaviour they must give up all that makes life joyful.”—Ellen G. White,The Ministry of Healing, pp. 43, 44.How can you better reveal Jesus to whatever children are aroundyou?