Like Children
In Mark 10:13-16 we have a short exchange that is important for us to understand. In the course of Jesus’ teaching the people, parents begin bringing their children to Him. It says that they wanted Him to touch them. They expected a “blessing” upon them from Jesus. Jesus uses it as a teachable moment. In Matthew’s account, 19:13, it states that they wanted Him to lay hands on them and pray. We see this custom in Old Testament passages such as Genesis 48. It shows some level of recognition of His power and authority.
At first, the disciples begin rebuking these parents. They seemed to think that this was a distraction and annoyance. “We have work to do” might be their thought. Jesus, however, did not want to overlook the children and He had a lesson to teach His disciples. Mark says Jesus became indignant. It was unfair to think that Jesus didn’t care about children.
Think about this for a moment — Jesus deals with people all day long. Some of them receive His words. Others turn away. Still others question Him and try to entrap Him. And now, these children are brought to Him. I could see Him having a sense of joy interacting with these children. They don’t have any impure motives. Mark says he took them up in his arms. He embraces them and blesses them. The disciples wanted to cut short a moment that was enjoyable for Jesus.
There was another lesson for His disciples to learn. “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Receive the kingdom without ulterior motives or preconceived notions. Receive it without any barriers that people tend to build up as adults, such as their own sinful desires, their rebellious attitudes, and their unwillingness to change. Receive it with the childlike wonder and amazement at what Jesus offers.
My grandson, Anaiah, loves to explore outside. He picks up the most random things and looks at them intently. Sticks, acorns, leaves, snails, etc. I always wonder what he is thinking. He will examine it from every angle, and some of them he will keep carrying around. Perhaps if people would examine what God says in His word with that kind of intention, we would be better off! More people would see the truth. More people would let it change them! The Word of God is amazing! We should treat it that way and examine it carefully, taking in what is being taught to us.
Be like children. Innocent, inquisitive, and ready to receive!