Sermon Text: Mark 10:13-16
Outline
We should bring children to Jesus (13-14)
We should learn from children about the kingdom of God (15-16)
Summary
Perhaps in your life you’ve been told, “Stop acting like a child.” If someone tells you this, he or she probably believes that you are being selfish. But when it comes to the Kingdom of God, Jesus says that we must become like children. What does he mean? Look with me at Mark 10:13-16.
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
In vv. 13-14, we see that we should bring children to Jesus. Verse 13 says, “And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them.” They probably means the children’s parents. Why were parents bringing their children to Jesus? The text says they were bringing children to him “that he might touch them.”
In biblical times, mortality rates for children were high. Often, people would seek out spiritual leaders to bless their children in hopes that the leader’s blessing would protect them and lead to a longer life.
For Jews, the practice of having a spiritual leader to bless their children was in keeping with a custom that dated all the way back to Genesis 48, when the patriarch Israel laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph’s children, Ephraim and Manasseh and blessed them (Genesis 48:14).
The word translated “children” could refer to any age between infancy and twelve ,but v. 16 suggests that these children were mostly small, since Jesus took them in his arms (also see Luke 18:15). So, people were bringing children, mostly very young children, for him to bless them.
At the end of v. 13 we’re told the disciples responded by rebuking the people bringing the children to Jesus. Why were the disciples rebuking them?
In Jesus’ day, children were usually viewed as a liability until they could contribute to society. In fact, the Romans would set up trash heaps by many homes where people could leave unwanted children. Often, people would pick up the children and raise them to be prostitutes, gladiators, or slaves.
Remember what Herod did when he heard that Jesus had been born: he had all male children two and under in Bethlehem slaughtered (Matt 2:16-18).
In America, we seem to have two extremes when it comes to children. Some people view children like the Romans. They think children are a nuisance that get in the way of how they want to live their lives. They give them to grandparents or other relatives or get an abortion. Maybe they keep their children but mistreat them.
On the other hand, some people make idols of their children. Children, rather than God, become the center of the home. The whole focus of the family turns to giving children their best lives through academics, sports, and recreation. Children are given whatever they want and are not appropriately disciplined.
As Christians, we should have a biblical view. We recognize that children are a gift from the Lord (Ps 127) and are to be raised in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). While we cherish our children, we realize that first and foremost they belong to God.
Verse 14 tells us how Jesus responded to the behavior of the disciples – he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”
This statement from Jesus must have surprised the disciples. Remember, children were considered insignificant and yet Jesus said:
- “Let the children come to me”
- “do not hinder them”
- Then he added, “for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”
At this point the disciples are really scratching their heads.
The disciples must have been thinking, “Jesus, don’t you have a kingdom to establish? Why are you wasting time on insignificant children?” We know that the disciples were ready to reign with Jesus (see Mark 10:35-37). Thus, the disciples don’t have time for children who have no political power.
While at least some of the disciples were thirsting for political power, Jesus told them that the kingdom of God belongs to those such as children. Jesus was indignant that the disciples were turning children away. This is the only time in Gospels where Jesus was said to be indignant.
When Jesus says that “for to such belongs the kingdom of God,” Jesus is teaching the disciples that those who are seemingly insignificant (in this case, children) are not only allowed in God’s kingdom, but are encouraged to come.
While the world seeks power, prestige, fame, and wealth, Jesus welcomes the insignificant.
Three Beatitudes from Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3-5)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
The more you hurt on this earth, the less attachment you’ll have to it and the more you will long for the kingdom of heaven. Thus, Jesus says that if you’re poor in spirit, if you mourn, and if you are meek, then you are blessed because those traits lead you to make heaven your home instead of this world.
So, we should bring children to Jesus.
Will you seek to bring your children to Jesus?
- Will you share the gospel with your children?
- Will you read the Bible with them?
- Will you be committed to a local church and faithful to bring them to worship?
- Will you live for Christ in front of them?
- Will you discipline your children (Prov 13:24)?
- Will you pray for their salvation and that they would follow Jesus?
We should learn from children about the kingdom of God (15-16)
15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Jesus says that you must receive the kingdom of God like a child or you will not enter it!
What does Jesus mean? Jesus is teaching his disciples that there are qualities that children possess that one must possess in order to enter the kingdom of God.
Here are a few:
- Children don’t have anything to offer. Like children, we don’t have anything to offer God (Acts 17:24-25).
- Children receive what is offered to them. They don’t overthink things. Consider how crazy it is that people actually reject the offer of eternal life! Like children, we should receive God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, realizing we are completely dependent on God’s grace.
- Children desire structure and authority. Like children, we should seek to live under God’s authority. We seek to glorify God with our lives and to seek his kingdom first.
- Children are totally dependent. Like children depend on their parents, we should recognize that we are totally dependent on our heavenly Father to provide for our physical and spiritual needs.
- Children have simple faith. Like children, we must believe all of what the Bible teaches without trying to rationalize our disobedience.
To enter the kingdom of God, we must acknowledge our inability to save ourselves. We have have nothing to offer our perfect God! We must humbly receive the grace of God offered to us through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Then, we submit to God’s authority and obey his word for the rest of our lives as we depend on him for our spiritual and material provision.
Matthew 18:3-4:
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Conclusion
Who do you think is insignificant when it comes to God’s kingdom?
- Those who are of a different political party than you?
- Those who have a different ethnicity or skin color?
- Those who do not share your economic status?
As Christians, we should recognize that every person is made in God’s image and that those in this world that are considered insignificant can access the kingdom of God through Christ. If there are people you think are insignificant, will you repent of that attitude and seek to bring them into the kingdom of God?
How are you trying to enter the kingdom of God? Are you seeking to enter by good works? Are you comparing yourself to others? Are you relying on your baptism or church membership?
If so, stop! Every single child in the world when it is born is completely helpless! And so it is with every person who is born again into the kingdom of God.
Look at v. 16.
16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Jesus welcomed these children and blessed them. What a beautiful picture – Jesus embracing these children and blessing them.
We too can experience the same joy these children and their parents did that day. If we seek Jesus with the heart and attitude of a child, we can look forward to the day when he will embrace us in His arms and welcome us for all of eternity.