Like A Little Child

Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)
¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch 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.
¹⁵ I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

In the book of Mark, in the previous chapter, Jesus had just told the disciples that whoever welcomed little children in His name would be welcoming Him and His Father. Jesus turns around to find His disciples doing the exact opposite of His teaching. They had heard the words spoken but had not truly heard. True hearing is reflected in the change of heart or behavior. The words of Jesus had not penetrated through to the heart. The seed of the gospel had been sown but had not begun to take root and grow.

The heart of Jesus was grieved, and here the Greek word is translated as indignant. The disciples were standing in the way of the kingdom by their lack of understanding. I can imagine that Jesus’ voice might have had an edge to it as He told them in no uncertain terms how children relate to the kingdom of God. He expands His teaching of what He meant by saying the last will be first. In time they would come to understand.

Then it says that Jesus took them in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them. The love and tenderness shown to those children is given to all who come to Him. That is how we are to receive the kingdom. Children have a much lighter grip on the ways of the world and of self. Letting go allows us to receive much: life in the kingdom of God.

Like a little child
Let us enter His arms
For there we experience the peace and love of God