Daily Scripture:
Mark 10:13 People were bringing children to him so that he might touch them, but the talmidim rebuked those people. 14 However, when Yeshua saw it, he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me, don’t stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Yes! I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it!” 16 And he took them in his arms, laid his hands on them, and made a b’rakhah over them. (Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions:
Clearly, Jesus loved children, and children loved him. That was unusual in his time—most rabbis had no interest in speaking to children. Jesus’ disciples were more typical, saying, in effect, take these children away; the Master has important things to do. “The disciples rebuked the parents. Jesus rebuked the disciples.”* Mark added the lovely eyewitness detail that Jesus “hugged the children and blessed them.”
- Jesus’ words and actions said children were more likely to find favor with God than self-satisfied Pharisees or materialistic rulers. The Message rendered his forceful words in Mark 10:14-15 as: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”** What can you learn from the simplicity of children that will deepen and enrich your relationship with God?
- “People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them.” When you were a child, did your parents or other adults bring you to Jesus for his blessing and guidance for life? If you are a parent, grandparent or have another connection with one or more children, how can you bring them to Jesus so that he can bless them?
Lord Jesus, please keep me from ever growing too old inside to join the joyous, trusting circle of children you welcomed. Keep my heart fresh, flexible and smiling as I follow you. Amen.
* John Ortberg, Who Is This Man? The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012, p. 29.
** From Eugene H. Peterson, The Message. NavPress, 1993-2002.
Read today's Insight by Denise MersmannDenise serves as the Early Childhood Coordinating Assistant at Church of the Resurrection.
Jesus made it very clear that he cared for children. He not only forbade the disciples from sending the children away, but hugged the children and blessed them. This passage of Scripture has always been a bit hard for me to wrap my head around. I love the image of Jesus welcoming the kids and hugging them, but for that piece to be really impactful I have to also acknowledge that this was not the typical behavior of faith leaders at the time. For the few children Jesus welcomed and blessed, there were many more who other religious leaders turned away.
I have had the privilege to serve on staff in our KidsCOR area for almost 20 years. My own children have been “raised Resurrection.” Kate was three years old when we joined the church and Ryan was born after we were members. They have never experienced a situation where adults didn’t welcome them to explore their faith, get to know where they fit in God’s big plan or feel that Jesus wanted to be their best friend.
From the time Kate and Ryan were in the nursery until they were out of school, on youth music mission trips, through youth handbells and orchestra, and as youth leaders in PreK Sunday school classes, they were blessed with amazing adults who helped shape their faith. The experiences that were available to my kids were due to the time, love, and commitment of many adults who were willing to show what the love of Christ looks like.
All of those adults who had a role in helping my kids learn to know, love, and serve Jesus were as different as they could be, but the one thing they had in common was a genuine love for children and a desire to develop the faith of a child. We will never forget those people who stepped up, prayed for, taught, led, encouraged, and hugged our children. Kate and Ryan may not actually have been hugged by Jesus, but they have experienced the next best thing – the love of His modern disciples welcoming them. And because of those people, my entire family has been richly blessed.
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- Or download this week's printable GPS.
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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