Like a Child
A reading for Tuesday, August 11, 2015: Mark 10:1-16.
Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." What does that mean?
When it comes on the heels of Jesus teaching about divorce and adultery, as it does in our lesson today, perhaps it seems like such teaching is child-simple and straightforward. Of course we know what the law was intended for, we might think, so why are we not doing it? Why are we too like the Pharisees who try and rationalize all of it? Why can't we just live the lives God intends for us to live?
Notice, however, what follows Jesus instructions about receiving the kingdom of God like a child. "He took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them." Could it be that this is what Jesus means instead? The kingdom of God is not about our ability to obey and be righteous, but instead about receiving the love Jesus has to offer us. To be swept up into the arms of our Lord, even just as we are and to be loved. Children don't know very much about very much, but they know when they are loved.
This too was the custom of our Lord. Over and over this was how Jesus expressed the kingdom of God, by loving the unlovable, and touching the untouchable. To receive the kingdom of God like a child is to be loved like a child. May you be blessed that way by Jesus today...
Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." What does that mean?
When it comes on the heels of Jesus teaching about divorce and adultery, as it does in our lesson today, perhaps it seems like such teaching is child-simple and straightforward. Of course we know what the law was intended for, we might think, so why are we not doing it? Why are we too like the Pharisees who try and rationalize all of it? Why can't we just live the lives God intends for us to live?
Notice, however, what follows Jesus instructions about receiving the kingdom of God like a child. "He took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them." Could it be that this is what Jesus means instead? The kingdom of God is not about our ability to obey and be righteous, but instead about receiving the love Jesus has to offer us. To be swept up into the arms of our Lord, even just as we are and to be loved. Children don't know very much about very much, but they know when they are loved.
This too was the custom of our Lord. Over and over this was how Jesus expressed the kingdom of God, by loving the unlovable, and touching the untouchable. To receive the kingdom of God like a child is to be loved like a child. May you be blessed that way by Jesus today...
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