THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 10:13-16
“The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)
Children have often been disregarded or discarded, used or abused in history.
God’s heart breaks for such as these, and Jesus reveals God’s love for them.
Creation under God-like Adam (the kingdom of God) was a safe place for children.
A place to play and discover, sing and dance, laugh and learn, grow and share.
But in our selfishness, our world has become a dominion of darkness, not safe for kids.
This is NOT the way things are supposed to be, and Jesus comes to change this.
He blesses children… and the poor, sick and oppressed, the sinful and the desperate.
Yet many of us have outgrown ‘childish’ faith in God, Jesus, the kingdom of God.
We have ‘matured’, we know better; we prefer our screwed up dominion of darkness!?
It is too humbling to admit our guilt, our weakness, our need for help and mercy.
Yet that is where we all need to be, if we really want to be happy (blessed).
To be like a child – weak and dependent – looking up to God for His blessing.
As a follower of Jesus, I need to be humble and dependent, like a child with Jesus.
As a follower of Jesus, I need to be gracious and gentle, like Jesus with a child.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I also have a dream of little black boys and black girls joining hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. May Your kingdom come, and may I be there to enjoy it!
Remember – kids should be seen and not heard? Kids don’t count. Kids were not important except to the parents. And they wanted the healing powers of Jesus also for them. God’s love is for all. No one is unimportant to the Lord. He comes to each and everyone that He may touch them.
I too need to be a stepping stone and not a stumbling block for the younger generation to encounter Christ and to grow in His knowledge and wisdom. May we all Lord, young and old alike, follow You with the child like trust – coming into Your presence.
Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart
And give Him praise, and give Him praise
Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart
Your voices raise, your voices raise
Give glory and honor and power unto Him
Jesus, the name above all names