The Little Childen and Jesus - Mark 10:13-16
The Little Children and Jesus
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Reflection:
As we have been saying all along, the dominant theme in the gospel of Mark is the power of the kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. We pray this is in the Lord's Prayer, but I am not sure we fully understand the impact we can have in the kingdom. When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!" And today Jesus teaches on how children are a part of the kingdom. The disciples think their importance is minimal, as they rebuke the people who were bringing children to Jesus. Thinking they were speaking for Jesus in effect they were saying, "Jesus is far too busy to be dealing with little kids!"
But what is Jesus' response? It says he was "indignant". That is a nice way of saying he was really mad that they made this assumption for him. And then he says, "Let them come to me because actually the kingdom belongs to them!" Then he goes on further to say that unless they receive the kingdom like these kids they will never enter it. Wow! You can only imagine what the disciples are thinking at this point. To further illustrate his point he takes the children, cradles them in His arms, and blesses them!
So what can we learn about this? What aspects of children make them to be an object lesson for how we learn about the power of the kingdom. I think the key word is when Jesus talks about how they "receive" the kingdom. The key thing I see about kids, having a 7 year old and an 11 year old myself, is trust. Kids basically trust those around them, especially authority figures. That is why it is so important to honor that trust. We use the term "child-like faith" in conjunction with this passage. Children receive things without overly questioning or analyzing them. They take the plain meaning, rather than reading into the message too much. Rather than thinking of all the ways not to do something, they often just go for it, not being afraid to fail. Children are usually not too busy. They make time for what is important. You may add a few of your own child-like qualities, but the key question for us today is to what degree is our faith "child-like" in the sense Jesus uses it today.
Where have we become jaded in our adulthood, so that we have lost the ability to trust? In our maturity, how do we receive the basic message the bible gives us, and the life Jesus wants for us as we walk in faith each day. For instance, do you really believe that God's wants to bring in His kingdom through you? This is not about you doing more stuff, or having an over developed sense of self. It is about trusting Jesus at his word that by His grace and by His call, we are to go and be His salt and light to the world. This is something kids get, can we receive it and live in it today?
Heavenly Father, you have called us to be your children by your grace through Jesus Christ. Help us today to trust in you and your Word as little children do, as we walk out of our doors today knowing that we are messengers of your kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Reflection:
As we have been saying all along, the dominant theme in the gospel of Mark is the power of the kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. We pray this is in the Lord's Prayer, but I am not sure we fully understand the impact we can have in the kingdom. When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!" And today Jesus teaches on how children are a part of the kingdom. The disciples think their importance is minimal, as they rebuke the people who were bringing children to Jesus. Thinking they were speaking for Jesus in effect they were saying, "Jesus is far too busy to be dealing with little kids!"
But what is Jesus' response? It says he was "indignant". That is a nice way of saying he was really mad that they made this assumption for him. And then he says, "Let them come to me because actually the kingdom belongs to them!" Then he goes on further to say that unless they receive the kingdom like these kids they will never enter it. Wow! You can only imagine what the disciples are thinking at this point. To further illustrate his point he takes the children, cradles them in His arms, and blesses them!
So what can we learn about this? What aspects of children make them to be an object lesson for how we learn about the power of the kingdom. I think the key word is when Jesus talks about how they "receive" the kingdom. The key thing I see about kids, having a 7 year old and an 11 year old myself, is trust. Kids basically trust those around them, especially authority figures. That is why it is so important to honor that trust. We use the term "child-like faith" in conjunction with this passage. Children receive things without overly questioning or analyzing them. They take the plain meaning, rather than reading into the message too much. Rather than thinking of all the ways not to do something, they often just go for it, not being afraid to fail. Children are usually not too busy. They make time for what is important. You may add a few of your own child-like qualities, but the key question for us today is to what degree is our faith "child-like" in the sense Jesus uses it today.
Where have we become jaded in our adulthood, so that we have lost the ability to trust? In our maturity, how do we receive the basic message the bible gives us, and the life Jesus wants for us as we walk in faith each day. For instance, do you really believe that God's wants to bring in His kingdom through you? This is not about you doing more stuff, or having an over developed sense of self. It is about trusting Jesus at his word that by His grace and by His call, we are to go and be His salt and light to the world. This is something kids get, can we receive it and live in it today?
Heavenly Father, you have called us to be your children by your grace through Jesus Christ. Help us today to trust in you and your Word as little children do, as we walk out of our doors today knowing that we are messengers of your kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
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