Mark 10:13-16

Mark 10:13-16 Living Bible (TLB)

The Little Children and Jesus

13 Once when some mothers[a] were bringing their children to Jesus to bless them, the disciples shooed them away, telling them not to bother him.

14 But when Jesus saw what was happening he was very much displeased with his disciples and said to them, “Let the children come to me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as they. Don’t send them away! 15 I tell you as seriously as I know how that anyone who refuses to come to God as a little child will never be allowed into his Kingdom.”

16 Then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and he blessed them.

Personal Insights

In this section we see the disciples learning another truth and, again, the situation involved children. It wasn’t unheard of in Jewish culture for parents to bring their children to the rabbis for blessing. So the parents in this story bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing would not have been strange. However, we see the disciples stepping in and rebuking the parents. The Living Bible talks about the disciples shooing the parents away and telling them not to be a bother to Jesus. This gives us a good image of what the situation looked like.

The disciples probably thought they were helping Jesus and creating some space and rest from people. Unfortunately, they had forgotten what Jesus had taught them not so long ago in 9:36-37. Jesus response to them was not positive. It says He was indignant with the disciples. This is not a mild annoyance but Jesus is irate and angry and gives them another lesson about His Kingdom.

Jesus taught the disciples, parents and whoever else that was listening that they (and us) are to receive the Kingdom of God like a child. What does this mean? Children at an early age are trusting, they are humble, they depend on others for their needs and they accept who they are. Somehow, as we grow up, we lose that innocence. We begin to listen to the ways of the world that we don’t need anyone, we can do life alone, and we develop insecurities about who we are. Jesus is encouraging us to have a childlike faith but not childish. When we understand who Jesus is, the Son of God, what’s not to trust. We need to continue to work at developing that relationship with Him. Humbly accepting His ways and trusting completely in what He says in His Word.

Jesus took these young children in His arms. They would feel safe and secure in His arms. Jesus blessed them. Jesus would know these children and would know what was ahead of them. I wonder what blessing He bestowed upon them.

For those of us who are parents, or Aunts and Uncles, or Grandparents who are entrusted with the care of children what influence do we have on them? John McArthur once said in a sermon concerning this passage and was speaking to parents mainly but I will extend it to caregivers in general “You’re the primary missionary in the life of your children” That is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. How do we evangelize our children? Deuteronomy 6:1-9 is a challenge for us today.