LIKE A LITTLE CHILD

Passage: Mark 10:13-16

Key verse: 15

NIV

The Little Children and Jesus(A)

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When 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.(B) 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”(C) 16 And he took the children in his arms,(D) placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Let the Children Come to Me

13 (A)And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples (B)rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, (C)“Let the children come to me; (D)do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 (E)Truly, I say to you, whoever does not (F)receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And (G)he took them in his arms and blessed them, (H)laying his hands on them.

Read full chapter
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Jesus welcomes children (13-14)

Jesus' disciples thought that Jesus was too busy to spend time with children. Children are powerless. They don't bring in any revenue. They couldn't even understand Jesus' teachings. These children didn't seem to need anything in particular. Their parents just wanted Jesus to touch and bless them. But Jesus welcomed them. Parents today should also bring their children and their sheep to Jesus.

2. Receive the kingdom like a child (15-16)

The children received Jesus' touch of blessing without any reservations or questions. When he took them in his arms, they were happy. They trusted him and received his love. The disciples were pragmatists looking for immediate benefit. They dealt with people politically and struggled with them humanly. They were full of calculations. We must come to Jesus like children, joyfully, knowing that when Jesus touches our lives, we are blessed.

Prayer: Lord, I come to you today like a child. Touch me, and I will be blessed.

One Word: Come to Jesus like a child