Become a child - Mark 10:13-16

In today's passage parents are bringing their children to Jesus in order that He might touch them and bless them. Bringing children to rabbis for a blessing was a typical Jewish custom and so it makes sense that the children were being brought to Jesus. However, the disciples viewed this as a waste of Jesus' time and energy. Jesus responded to the disciples in an uproar and insisted on blessing the children.

The disciples viewed these children as weak, trivial, and unimportant to the concerns of powerful men. However, Jesus sets an example for His disciples of being radically committed to loving and valuing them. Jesus consistently set an example of being willing to take time for those that others overlooked as unimportant or a waste of time.

Jesus also makes clear that these children, even though viewed as unimportant by the disciples, have something very profound to teach. Jesus says in verse 15, "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." This teaches us that if we are to enter God's Kingdom and experience His salvation we must receive it as a helpless and dependent child. Only when we humble ourselves in this way will we be able to enjoy the blessings of God's kingdom.

*Questions for Reflection:

1. What ministry would Jesus have you do that might look like a waste of time and energy to others?

2. What types of people are typically overlooked by others as unimportant? How can you love and serve one of these persons this week?

3. Have you entered the kingdom of God as a child? How do you need to be more child-like?