Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it. Mark 10:15 NABRE
People are bringing children to Jesus that He might touch them but the disciples in an attempt to protect Jesus push them away. Children are non-people, they have no rights and shouldn’t expect any attention what-so-ever. Yet for Jesus He uses them as an example how to be in order to receive unmerited gift from God. When Jesus sees His disciples trying to stop the children from coming to Him He becomes indignant, He is offended to the point of outrage, one of the only times Jesus’ is indignant. Jesus has been speaking about the kingdom of God regularly, sharing the news of the kingdom of God and inviting others to become a part of God’s kingdom, wanting everyone to aspire to God’s kingdom. Now Jesus says the kingdom of God belongs to these little ones whom the disciples are trying to send away. Jesus again turns the value system upside down. The kingdom is not for those who accomplish great things, or say the most, best prayers, or are the most generous, rather it is for those who cannot accomplish anything because they are too small and very needy. Jesus’ declares to attain the kingdom of God we must become like a child. Children have no accomplishments with which to earn God’s favor, no status that makes them worthy. In their dependency they exemplify the only disposition that makes entrance into the kingdom possible: simply to receive it as a pure, unmerited gift.
We often desire earning our place. God doesn’t need us to earn anything, God wants to give us what is best. To be like children we only need to accept and depend on God and in this manner we will be welcome into the kingdom of God.
Do you prefer to earn your place? Can you accept unreciprocated help from others?
We often desire earning our place. God doesn't need us to earn anything, God wants to give us what is best. To be like children we only need to accept and depend on God and in this manner we will be welcome into the kingdom of God. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #children #unmeritted #Mark #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #gospels #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways