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.
They are weak, dependent and victims of whatever is passed on to them.
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 to be 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.
Just think for a moment where today children are at risk – pretty much everywhere!
This is NOT the way things are supposed to be, and Jesus comes to change this.
He blesses children, and women, and the poor, the sick, the oppressed, the desperate.
He even extends His gracious blessing to sinners, so that they too can receive God’s help.
Yet many of us have outgrown ‘childish’ stories about 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!
Observations/Application
Be like a little child.
Little children receive knowledge, information readily from their teachers without question. Their responses are: Wow! Super! I didn’t know that. Tell me more.
They are vulnerable and dependent and listen to their teacher with open ears and heart saying really.
I need to be like that child, learning to trust to see Him more clearly through all of life’s situations. And Christ’s warning to His disciples noy to hinder them coming is a warning also to me not to hinder anyone who would come to Him. He offers new life to all who seek Him. I must be a stepping stone and not a stumbling block.
Jesus calls the children dear,
“Come to me and never fear,
For I love the little children of the world;
I will take you by the hand,
Lead you to the better land,
For I love the little children of the world.”
Refrain
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
[Alternate refrain:
Jesus died for all the children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus died for all the children of the world.]
Jesus is the Shepherd true,
And He’ll always stand by you,
For He loves the little children of the world;
He’s a Savior great and strong,
And He’ll shield you from the wrong,
For He loves the little children of the world.
Refrain
I am coming, Lord, to Thee,
And Your soldier I will be,
For You love the little children of the world;
And Your cross I’ll always bear,
And for You I’ll do and dare,
For You love the little children of the world.