Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.--Mark 10:13-16
Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna and Mikayla,
When was Jesus greatly displeased....when the disciples rebuked those who brought the little children to Him. The Scripture says that when Jesus saw this He was greatly displeased and told His disciples that unless one received the kingdom of God as a little child he would by no means enter it. Jesus..the God of the Universe...then took these little children up in His arms and blessed them.
Jesus said volumes here. Meditate on what it is like to be a child and you will see His point. A child is marked by trust. They humbly depend on others to provide for them, care for them, and see them through. A child does not worry about what he is going to wear or where his next meal is coming from. A child when hurt or in need cries out and runs immediately to his father or mother....trusting that they can fix the problem. There is also a lot that a little one must accept by faith...he does not understand much and knows he does not understand much. He does not concern himself with tomorrow or try to explain or rationalize things that are too great for him. We tell our kids to grow up and behave like an adult. Jesus actually tells us responsible adults to do the opposite...to behave like a child.
I love this. There is such comfort here. Life is hard....full of difficulties and curve balls. It is too much for any of us. Jesus tells us He does not want us to handle it on our own. In fact...He does not want US to handle it at all. He says to come to Him...cry out to Him...run to Him. He is the God that performs all things for us. He is the God that perfects all things that concern us. We can trust Him. This is the attitude we need when we first enter God's kingdom....one of total dependence on the mercy of God. One that understands with heart knowledge, as a child does, that he is helpless and unable to save himself. This also needs to be the heart of a child of God throughout his journey here on earth. He walks with His God by faith, without fear, knowing that He is loved by his Father and that He will care for his every need.
Jesus modeled this by living His life here on earth in total and utter dependence on His Father in Heaven. He said nothing and did nothing outside of His Father's will. Jesus puts a little child in front of us as an example....reminding us of how He lived and how we are to live. What a wonderful gift He gives us in this picture. A child because he does not worry about tomorrow can enjoy the moment....He is secure. He knows his parents love him and will care for all his needs. He can revel in the moment. Walk by faith...cast your burdens upon the Lord...He cares for you. Know your God will see you through.
"For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.--Matthew 6:25-34
Love
Mom
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