The idea of blessing is found throughout the Bible. The basic meaning is to ask God to bestow divine favour upon someone. The blessing of the Lord is not something we deserve. We cannot force God by means of our words to give his blessing. In his sovereign freedom, God chooses to grant his favour to individuals or to a people and causing the work of their hands to succeed (Deuteronomy 28:12; Psalm 89:17).1
This is what parents hope for. They want what is best for their children. They want them to be blessed by God so that they may enjoy a rich life in this world and be assured of God’s favour on the day of judgment.
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1). He is the Lord, whose way was prepared by John the Baptist (Mark 1:3). He is the Son of Man in whom the Father delights (Mark 1:11; Mark 2:10; Mark 8:31; Mark 8:38). When Jesus thus blessed these children, whether he does so by pronouncing a blessing or praying for a blessing, those children are blessed. To be blessed by Jesus is to be blessed by God.
16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.