13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.
Message: Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus continues teaching and instructing the disciples and his followers as he goes through Galilee. We not only have a personal faith, but our faith also has an affect on how we treat others and encourage them to grow in Christ and therefore Jesus admonishes us to consider those around us and be sensitive to their needs. This also applies in our marriages. And here Jesus addresses children.
Since Jesus has returned from the mountain where he was transfigured before 3 disciples with Moses and Elijah he has been teaching many different significant things. He is preparing people for his departure from earth, teaching them much.
- Mark 9:14-19 - Jesus Confronts a Faithless Generation - He remarks on the lack of faith among the disciples and followers because they can't deal with a boy who has been demon possessed.
- Mark 9:20-24 - Help for Unbelief - He gives confirmation that the calling card of the Christian in getting Jesus to act is belief.
- Mark 9:25-29 - Dependence on Christ - He reminds us that we must depend on Christ calling on Him through power for him to work.
- Mark 9:30-32 - Teaching in Galilee - Jesus continues teaching through Galilee, namely that he will be killed and then rise from the grave 3 days later.
- Mark 9:33-35 - Who is the Greatest? - We are reminded that greatness is found in being a servant, not necessarily being first.
- Mark 9:36-37 - Receiving a Child in Jesus' Name - We need to receive those that are lesser than us, children, or not the rich and popular, to have God in our lives.
- Mark 9:38-41 - On the Side of Jesus - The importance of living life and acting out things in the name of Jesus; being dependent on Him.
- Mark 9:42 - Causing Others to Sin - The follower of Jesus is not simply focused on personal growth, but wants to make sure nothing in his life is causing another person to sin.
- Mark 9:43-50 - The Unquenchable Fire of Hell - There is a seriousness of offending others and other causing others to sin or ourselves, and this consequence is hell.
- Mark 10:1-9 - The One Flesh Union - God joins a husband and wife together and we do not simply abandon it when it no longer feels right. It is necessary to keep working at it.
- Mark 10:10-12 - When God Allows Divorce - Adultery results when a man or woman marries another. Yet, immorality and an unbelieving spouse that leaves is warranted.
Like women, children did not hold a strong position in the community. In this lesson Jesus talks about the goal to receive the kingdom of God, not acquiring it, achieving it, making it happen on earth, or exercising a strenuous effort to get it, but receiving it. The situation that brought this upon Jesus was that they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them. Obviously, children were coming to Jesus for favor or help or healing, but the disciples, taking on the position perhaps that children should be dismissed rebuked them. The children were innocent and had needs like everyone else.
Jesus responds and shows that they are no different from anyone else and even that they have a special position. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them." Permit them and do not hinder them. Children possess something that adults do not. They have an innocence and a dependence on others. Adults tend to think they are self-sufficient, with no needs and they have it all figured out. Even the disciples and followers of Jesus I think have this tendency. To realize that we have needs I think paints a picture that we are weak.
Yet, Jesus states something radical - the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Jesus gives this idea that the kingdom of God which is what people want belongs not to the self-sufficient, but instead to the children. It belongs to those that still act like a child in believing that they do not have it all figured out. Jesus spoke often of the kingdom of God and it is a central message of his as something that we are to be about. Many times he speaks of the goal for us to be children of God. It seems we are to be children of God in the kingdom of God where we are recognizing God as our king. If we want the kingdom of God we must be like a child.
Thus, Jesus emphasizes the significance of this with the words Truly I say to you. I think Jesus is saying something even more significant when he uses the words, "Truly." It is almost maybe a point of divinity like he has first hand knowledge of what he is saying.
Mark 3:28 - Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men.
Mark 8:12 - Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.
Mark 9:1 - Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.
Mark 9:41 - For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.
I think Truly is a strong word that Jesus uses to make a point of emphasis. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all. Again, the point here is 'we receive' the kingdom of God. For instance, it says in John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. This is not about achieving or working towards, but receiving. This is open hands out and receiving.
And the manner in which receive is like a child. Thus, there is innocence in the way we receive it. There is the recognition that we are still in need. That we don't have it all figured out. That we are dependent on God. This is the type of person that receives the kingdom of God. And if it is not like a child then Jesus says the person will not enter it at all. That is really significant. If not like a child then not at all.
Mark concludes this lesson with Jesus And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. This is the impact that Jesus has on the little children.
Summary - Jesus has been teaching us many lessons. The lessons have not simply been me-focused, but also focused on others. And he is speaking in ways that are contrary to the culture - being dependent on Him and being sensitive to people and understanding to the lesser ones. Here he remarks that to enter the kingdom of God we must be like a child - innocent, dependent, in need of someone greater than us.
Promise: We come into the kingdom only by admitting that we have nothing to give, that all we can do is rely on Christ for grace and forgiveness.
Prayer: Lord, I am thankful these messages and truths that we have recorded in the Bible about you. Thank you for leading me to this study so that I can better understand your message to me. Lord, I pray that you would give me that simple recognition always that I am ever dependent on you, that I come to you with nothing to give but am utterly dependent on You. Lord, help me to counsel others on these truths.
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