14When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:14-15 [NIV])
If you have been to church or read your Bible, you will have learned of this discussion Jesus had with His disciples about little children and their guardians. These guardians sought Jesus’ blessings on their children. This happens today when a famous person comes to our towns and cities. We seek an audience with that person so they can kiss or hold our child. This blessing makes our heart feel good. In our minds, to be in the presence of a famous person means we are famous for that moment. We are someone more than the sum of our individual parts; it must be true since that well-known person chose to be with us. Later in life, we remember that time and recall how special we felt to have the famous person choose to be with us and to hold or kiss our child. Was this what the guardians of the children in Mark 10 wanted? Did they seek Jesus so they could have their moment of fame? Conversely, did they seek Him because they believed in Him as God’s Son and wanted God’s blessing on their children? We can look at this from the child’s perspective. Did the children hold back from seeing Jesus or did they run, skip, and scamper to Him? Let’s consider Mark 10:13-16.
Jesus was in Judea, in this passage. After being tested by the Pharisees about teachings on divorce, a different discussion with Him began. People brought their children to Him for Him to bless them by placing His hands on them. The disciples rebuked these people. At this, Jesus saw and corrected the disciples. He wanted the children to come to Him. Jesus made the children an example for adults. In a society where children had no power or say in life, Jesus placed them on a pedestal as a teaching model. This pointed out children are important. Jesus made sure the people who listened to Him and those who would hear and read about His words and actions later would recall this point about salvation. He told the people the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like children (vs 14). He did not say it only belongs to or is for children, but people like them. Did this mean people who are full of energy, weepy, needy, quiet, humble, trusting, sincere, welcoming, or accepting? Yes, Jesus calls all people to receive salvation. He specifically told what He meant with this statement by His comment in verse fifteen. He said people must receive the kingdom of God like a child. The kingdom of God belongs to children, and only those people who receive it like a child may enter it.
The definition of “receiving” helps us understand what Jesus meant when He said a person must receive the kingdom of God like a child. “Receive” comes from the Greek word dechomai. Dechomai means to receive in a warmly welcoming and receptive way. Whenever someone gives anything to another person, two actions occur, giving and the receiving. Receiving cannot occur without giving, but that does not mean every person receives each thing given to them. Jesus taught, in this passage, that the children actively received in their innocence and simplicity what He offered. They did not stand back and question what Jesus would want from them, what motives He had, if He attached strings, and why they should receive it from Him. Most children happily and actively accept gifts given to them. In their innocence and trust, they actively welcome gifts into their lives. In this passage, Jesus said people must receive the gift of salvation and eternal life He gives with welcoming and active acceptance.
Like a coin, receiving involves another actor–the Giver. No one can receive anything if nothing is given. Like a child actively and warmly receives a gift with innocence and simplicity, a giver of a gift must actively pass to another person what he or she wants to give. In this case, Jesus said God gives His kingdom to people who are like children (vs 15). If nothing is offered, nothing can be received. Still, if something is offered, it does not have to be received. People, being wary of receiving something for nothing for fear the price will take away their freedom, often choose not to receive a gift. They do not trust the giver and sometimes the gift. People often lack this trust and faith in the Giver, and they will not accept the gift Jesus offers to them.
In these verses, Jesus raised people’s perception of children. Their innocence, simplicity, and greater willingness to act, set them apart as the best example at that moment to show the response needed for people to become children of God. God, the Giver of salvation and life in His kingdom, offers this gift to each person. Jesus made the point each person must actively accept the gift. To be an active receiver, a person should be like a child who warmly and with trusting faith accepts God’s gift of cleansing from sins and eternal life. Each person who accepts a gift actively participates in the transaction with the giver. For righteousness and eternal life with God, a person must actively join with God in receiving by faith what He offers because of His grace and love. This gift requires a high level of self-involvement from the recipient. When both sides of this transaction occur, blessing happens. The greatest blessing of any person’s life occurs, a restored relationship with God.
Will you be childlike and respond to God calling to you to accept His gift? Will you warmly receive what He offers you-cleansing from sins and a place in His kingdom for eternity? God keeps knocking at the door to give us the gift of His grace and love. You need only open the door and let Him in to give you a place in His kingdom. Life for us should be about having righteous relationships with God and other people. Life as a child of God is about receiving His gifts with trusting faith. Life as His child is a blessing.
What keeps you from having the trusting, innocent faith of a child?
Give that to God and ask Him to give you faith.
Faith is a gift from God for everyone who asks.
