Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2021 15:22:38 GMT -5
The Kingdom of God By: John Blase
Click here for the Audio Message
The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Mark 10:14
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Mark 10:13–16
My mother has been committed to many things over the course of her life, but one that has remained constant is her desire to see little children introduced to Jesus. Of the few times I’ve witnessed my mother display disagreement publicly, all were when someone attempted to cut a children’s ministry budget in favor of what they felt were more “serious” expenditures. “I took off one summer when I was pregnant with your brother, but that’s it,” she told me. I did a little family math and I realized my mom had been working with children in the church for fifty-five years.
Mark 10 records one of the endearing stories in the Gospels commonly titled “The Little Children and Jesus.” People were bringing children to Jesus that He might touch and bless them. But the disciples tried to prevent this from happening. Mark records Jesus as “indignant”—and rebuking His very own disciples: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (v. 14).
Charles Dickens wrote, “I love these little people; and it’s not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.” And it’s not a slight thing when we, who are older, do all we can to make sure the little children are never hindered from the ever-fresh love of Jesus.
Reflect & Pray
If you were introduced to Jesus as a child, who were the supporting adults in that memory? What kind of impression does Jesus being indignant in this story make on you?
Jesus, help me to reveal Your love and presence to all people, including children. Make me mindful of ways to ensure that they can always come to You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Mark 10:16, we read that Jesus “took the children in his arms . . . and blessed them.” The word used here for blessed is kateulogeo. It appears only in this passage in the New Testament and means “to bless intensely; to confer what is beneficial.” Jesus’ blessing was intense and fervent. He wanted only the best for these children.
On a number of occasions, Jesus described those who are considered “blessed” (makarios). This word means “to pronounce as blessed; to receive God’s favor.” After Peter acknowledged that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Jesus told him he was “blessed” (Matthew 16:16–17). This same word is used when Thomas recognized the risen Jesus as his “Lord” and “God.” Jesus told him that those who’ve not seen and yet believe are “blessed” (John 20:28–29). In these passages blessed means receiving God’s favor in response to trusting Jesus.
J.R. Hudberg
Mark 10:13-16
King James Version
13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Click here for the Audio Message
The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Mark 10:14
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Mark 10:13–16
My mother has been committed to many things over the course of her life, but one that has remained constant is her desire to see little children introduced to Jesus. Of the few times I’ve witnessed my mother display disagreement publicly, all were when someone attempted to cut a children’s ministry budget in favor of what they felt were more “serious” expenditures. “I took off one summer when I was pregnant with your brother, but that’s it,” she told me. I did a little family math and I realized my mom had been working with children in the church for fifty-five years.
Mark 10 records one of the endearing stories in the Gospels commonly titled “The Little Children and Jesus.” People were bringing children to Jesus that He might touch and bless them. But the disciples tried to prevent this from happening. Mark records Jesus as “indignant”—and rebuking His very own disciples: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (v. 14).
Charles Dickens wrote, “I love these little people; and it’s not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.” And it’s not a slight thing when we, who are older, do all we can to make sure the little children are never hindered from the ever-fresh love of Jesus.
Reflect & Pray
If you were introduced to Jesus as a child, who were the supporting adults in that memory? What kind of impression does Jesus being indignant in this story make on you?
Jesus, help me to reveal Your love and presence to all people, including children. Make me mindful of ways to ensure that they can always come to You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Mark 10:16, we read that Jesus “took the children in his arms . . . and blessed them.” The word used here for blessed is kateulogeo. It appears only in this passage in the New Testament and means “to bless intensely; to confer what is beneficial.” Jesus’ blessing was intense and fervent. He wanted only the best for these children.
On a number of occasions, Jesus described those who are considered “blessed” (makarios). This word means “to pronounce as blessed; to receive God’s favor.” After Peter acknowledged that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Jesus told him he was “blessed” (Matthew 16:16–17). This same word is used when Thomas recognized the risen Jesus as his “Lord” and “God.” Jesus told him that those who’ve not seen and yet believe are “blessed” (John 20:28–29). In these passages blessed means receiving God’s favor in response to trusting Jesus.
J.R. Hudberg
Mark 10:13-16
King James Version
13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.