Mark 10:13-16, CEB - People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them. But the disciples scolded them. When Jesus saw this, he grew angry and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” Then he hugged the children and blessed them.
It’s
hard to adequately explain how countercultural Jesus’s actions were in this
passage in our current culture where we have shifted to the other extreme. The disciples, by attempting to keep the
children away from Jesus, were doing exactly what they were supposed to
do. Children did not merit being present
in the room when a prominent Rabbi was teaching. In most cases, it would have annoyed the
Rabbi and at best distracted the adults present. Generally, the Rabbi would have been thankful
to not have to stop to deal with the children himself. So imagine the disciples’ surprise when they
experience Jesus’s anger instead of his gratitude. Once again, Jesus is turning cultural
expectations upside down.
Instead
of banishing them, Jesus blesses and hugs them.
Even more surprising, He holds them up as an example for the adults to follow.
This would have been downright offensive
to even the disciples. Children are to
follow adults, not the other way around!
Even more disturbing – if the adults are not like these children, they
will never enter the kingdom of God. This
is a crazy teaching indeed!
This is
essentially important teaching regarding the Kingdom of God here. First, it primarily belongs to people who are
like children. Children are not able to
earn anything. Their whole existence
depends on the provision of others. In a
proper household, even children who tend to be wayward are can still expect to
be cared for and provided what they need.
Most adults tend to lose this dependence, which is generally a good
thing. But it is not a good thing when
it comes to the Kingdom. Ther kingdom
belongs to those who know they haven’t done anything to earn it. Much lip service is given to this truth by
people who quietly believe their “good” behavior and deeds entitles them to
more than certain others. Jesus is
calling such people on the carpet here; to the extent that you think you
rightly deserve the kingdom, it will never be yours. Children tend to trust that what they need
will just be there without a thought that they could earn it. In the Kingdom, all of us are called to trust
that way.
Finally,
Jesus obviously just loves children, for He welcomes, embraces, and blesses
them. Jesus models how children are to
be treated in His community. It’s
supposed to be natural for children to be welcomed in the midst of the many
activities of the church. Having them in
the midst of the Kingdom community reminds all of us that their dependence
mindset should be our mindset as well.
It is also a reminder that our faith is one that is passed down. Current generations are to always be thinking
about how they transfer the faith to those who are coming next. Our faith is a faith that continues by giving
it away.
Questions: Are there
any shreds of entitlement in your relationship to God and or God’s
community? What is your core disposition
towards children?
Prayer: Lord Jesus,
forgive us for thinking we deserve any of the blessings we have received. As we experience Your humility, may we live
into it ourselves. Amen.
Prayer Focus: Pray
for people who will be somewhere they don’t want to be for the holidays.
Song: Someday at
Christmas – Stevie Wonder with Andra Day
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