Like Little Children
Text: Mark 10:13-16
Core Idea: The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like little children – those who are poor in spirit. In other words, it’s His grace that enables us to enter His Kingdom. Then as recipients of this great love, may we continue to give this love to others – especially to the children He has placed in our community.
INTRODUCTION
Good afternoon, Lighthouse. It’s really good to see you. And it’s especially good to see our children and youth joining us. As a church, we want to be intentional about worshiping together at least once a month to remind ourselves that we are a church – not just the adults, but the children and youth are an important, valuable part of us that defines who we are as a community. I understand that this may be challenging at times, but it will help us grow as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, which is why I’m inviting us to persevere. When this becomes part of our culture, when our children and youth begin to see Lighthouse as their home, when the young and the old learn to joyfully do life together, we’ll see that all our struggles were worth it. Then with that in mind, let’s turn our Bibles to Mark 10:13-16. Now, if you’ve been with us through this series, you may be wondering, “What happened to the rest of chapter 9?” Rest assured, I’m not skipping them – I just changed the order because I thought that this passage would be more helpful for us with our children joining us. Let me read this for us.
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them.
Amen. This is the Word of God for you today.
Last week, we learned that Jesus Christ is the glory of God in the flesh – the only One who is worthy of our worship. And it was absolutely humbling to see that Jesus didn’t remain transfigured but chose the path that would lead Him to the cross where He would be disfigured for us – to fully pay the price of our sin. Now, you would think that witnessing something so beautiful and so glorious would’ve kept the disciples humble, but in chapter 9, Mark tells us that they were arguing about who was the greatest (9:34). I still find it amazing how Jesus didn’t explode with anger and frustration, saying, “How in the world can you fight about that after being in the presence of My glory? Why does that matter so much?” Instead, He sat them down and gently reminded them, in Mark 9:35, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Now, our passage today will show that the disciples still didn’t get it. So, Jesus will take this opportunity once again to teach them something about grace. Let me point out three things from this passage:
THE DISCIPLES
THE CHILDREN
A LESSON ON GRACE
1) THE DISCIPLES
Let’s turn to verse 13. Mark tells us that people were bringing little children to Jesus, but the disciples rebuked them. The Greek word for “rebuke” is the same word used when Jesus was casting out demons or quieting the storm. They were essentially saying, “Get out! You’re wasting Jesus’ time! Do you know how important He is?” which implied that they thought these children weren’t really worthy to be near Jesus. I witnessed something similar when I was in Kenya for three months. One thing you need to understand is that the children from these small villages have never seen an Asian before – so, you could imagine how shocked they were to see someone like me. I remember some of the kids would literally break out in tears just because they saw me but most of them were just curious. So, some of them would nervously touch my arm and run away; some were mesmerized by the guitar I was carrying; some just wanted to hold my hands or hug me. Then out of nowhere, these adults came with wooden sticks and started to hit them hard – yelling at them to leave me alone. I was so shocked at how hard they were hitting these children – my immediate reaction was to stand in between and use my gesture and facial expression to show that I was okay, that I wanted to be with them. I wonder if the disciples were that forceful – pulling kids away from Jesus and pushing people off. Now, before we criticize their actions, it seems like their intentions might have been good. Knowing that Jesus’ plate was full of teaching and healing ministries, they probably wanted to protect Jesus from “distractions” – something that they thought was less important. In fact, in that day, there was nothing controversial about the way they perceived and treated children. The first-century world didn’t necessarily see children as cute and innocent like we do; they were of no significance, they had no social standing – in fact, children were like a burden to carry. So, in one sense, the people may not have been surprised that they were turned away.
It’s important to see that instead of acting as a bridge, these disciples acted as a barrier. Instead of making it easier for the children to be blessed by Jesus, they were preventing them. Instead of being part of what God was doing, they were in the way of what God was doing. What Mark wanted to show us was that their action wasn’t just about children; it was revealing what was going on in their hearts – namely, that they were selective about who they thought was worthy to be near Jesus. Isn’t that ironic? Grace by definition is a gift that’s undeserving, yet the disciples were deciding for themselves who deserved grace. What does this mean for us? Of course, no one would act like the disciples today – forcefully driving people away from Jesus and this community. But have you ever thought something like this? “Our church would have less problems if he stopped coming out. She’s so needy – why can’t she find someone else to help her? He thinks he’s all that – I wish he would serve somewhere else. She’s so awkward – I’m going to find someone else to talk to. He needs to stop talking so much – can we move him to another small group?” It can be very subtle, but our thoughts could cause us to become a barrier, not a bridge for others to draw near to Jesus.
Then let me ask you, “Do you pick and choose who you show grace to? Are there people you’re hesitant to serve, share the gospel with? Have you ever thought that certain people were unnecessary, unimportant, and even expendable in this community – that your life, the church would be better off without them?” Brothers and sisters, if this is true, we must repent and ask for His forgiveness as we intentionally, vigorously fight to do away with this spirit of superiority. How do we do this? This is what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:25, “Have equal concern for each other.” The Greek literally says, “Be anxious for each other,” which basically is saying, “genuinely, carefully care for each other.” Now, caring for others is hard. It’s difficult to deny ourselves, consider the needs of others, and place their preferences above our own. It’s often painful to give time, money, and energy to those around us when we ourselves may be in need. It’s challenging to care for others joyfully, cheerfully when we ourselves are struggling. But despite these challenges, this must be evident in a Christ-centered community because this is how we destroy the spirit of superiority. I heard someone say, “It’s hard to hate someone you’re praying for.” In the same way, it’s hard to feel superior when you’re serving them, caring for them in the Lord. Then with the help of the Holy Spirit, let us make every effort to become a community that is anxious for one another so that we would act as a bridge for people – bringing people to Christ so that they too would taste the beauty of His grace.
2) THE CHILDREN
Let’s turn to verse 14. It says that Jesus was indignant. The Greek word for “indignant” literally means “to be greatly afflicted.” In other words, Jesus’ heart was hurting to see the injustice being done to these children, which is why He said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Jesus made it clear that He loved children – that they weren’t a waste of time, that they didn’t bother Him. Do you know what this means? It means that you and I are not a bother to Jesus either. Little people didn’t bother Jesus and little problems (or big problems) won’t bother Jesus. Then think about your life. The pressure from work; the weightiness of parenting; the anxiety that comes from the worries of life that keep you awake at night; the fatigue from your duties and responsibilities; feeling lost because you don’t know what to do with the situation you’re in – yet in all of these big and small moments, Jesus cares. You’re not a bother to Him. He’s not going to wish us better from afar – He will hear our cries; He will get close to us. So, friends, I invite you to go to Him today. I don’t want to promise that everything will be resolved – but I can promise you this: when you cry for Jesus, you will find Him; He’ll be with you even when you feel like He’s distant from you – He will be your peace, strength, and comfort.
But there’s a more specific implication for us all – namely, that as Jesus loved children, we too must love and care for our children. Then take a good look at these precious gifts in our community. And let me ask you, “How are you helping these children and youth to come to Jesus?” I want to make this clear: this is not just the parents’ responsibility, the teachers’, or the pastors’ responsibility; it really is our responsibility. If Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me,” none of us are too important that we can’t love, disciple, and serve our children and youth. Then how do we do this practically? By bringing them under the means of grace.
Of course, this should happen in the homes (and I’m preaching this to myself first because it’s something I need to grow in). It really begins with reading the Bible to your children. It begins with praying with and for them. It begins with singing them the hymns of our faith. It begins with simply talking about biblical truths and stories with them. Now, because I’m still learning, I wanted to look for resources that could help us do this better. And I came across this article (Barbara Porter) that provided 13 things we can do to bridge our children to Christ. I’ll share just a half but all 13 points will be in the sermon manuscript available on our website.
Make sure that you are guarding, nourishing, and focusing on your own spiritual condition. Are you putting Christ first? Do you make time to worship, fellowship with other Christians, read the Word of God, and pray?
The example you set as parents is crucial to rearing Christian disciples. Do you realize the importance of living out your Christian faith every day in front of your children? Do they see that Christ is first in your life and that you seek to glorify Him in everything you do?
Demonstrate to your children that your relationship with your spouse is the most important human relationship that you have, and prove this by showing respect for your spouse and displaying sacrificial love and physical affection for him or her.
Show your child and tell your child that you love them every day. Work diligently at building a relationship with them. Take time from their earliest days to communicate with them about deep and important things.
Read the Word of God with your child and pray with and for your child every day.
Give your child responsibilities. Do whatever it takes to create within him or her a godly work ethic. Do not do for your children what they are capable of doing for themselves. Those who hate work are among the most unhappy and unfulfilled people in this world. Adam and Eve had responsibilities to fulfill even in the Garden of Eden before sin entered into the world. Work is truly a great gift from the Lord.
Do not bail your children out of the consequences that arise because of their own actions and choices. It is essential for them from their earliest days to learn that sin has consequences. You will not always be there to rescue them, and you should not enable them.
Teach by example that Christ expects us to be presenting our bodies to Him as living sacrifices. The world teaches that it is all about us, breeding those who love themselves first and best. Give them opportunities from their earliest years to serve others, those inside and outside the church.
Teach them respect for others. Show them by example that it is the soul of another person that they should value and not the person's outer shell. Part of showing respect for others involves on their part: modest dress, inclusion, encouragement, forgiveness, praise, and setting a godly example.
Impress upon their children the brevity of this earthly life. God compared it to a vapor. Analyze your desire to accumulate things. We must demonstrate to our children by our actions and priorities that material things will never be enough and they will never satisfy us. One day we will all give an account of our lives to our Creator. Only one life will soon be passed. Only what is done for Christ will last. Help your children to understand that this earth is not our home and therefore we should not treat it as such.
Demand and command respect from your children. If they do not respect you, whom they can see, how will they ever be able to respect God, whom they cannot see? Do you live in such a way that you are worthy of their respect? Do you say one thing and yet do another? Even a young child can spot a hypocrite.
Teach your children that pleasing God is their ultimate goal. To do this means sometimes being alienated from the crowd. Pray with your child for one friend who is godly and true. God will provide this friend.
Make sure your discipline is consistent and abounding in mercy. These principles must be put into place from a child's earliest days. It's easier to build children than to repair men. If children grow up with these truths as a part of their everyday lives, it will make the job of parenting them as teenagers a more joyful experience.
This is how we bring our children under the means of grace at home. Then how do we do this at church? One simple way is through our corporate worship because it’s here that God ministers to us by the ordinary means of grace. I firmly believe that the more we place them in the way of the means of grace, the better the opportunity for their souls to encounter the God of grace. We recognize the benefit of steering our children clear of harmful things like friends with bad influences, busy streets, open fires, uncovered electrical outlets, R-rated movies. Then why wouldn’t we equally desire to steer our children towards beneficial things – the Word of God and prayer? Steering them away from the means of death is good; steering them towards the means of life is even better.
Now, you may ask, “But why do this together? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial for them to be in a children’s ministry where everything is catered to their needs? Wouldn’t this turn them off from church or even faith in Christ because they find it boring?” I understand your concern, which is why we do have a children’s ministry – but we also want to regularly come together because there’s so much to learn by being together. It’s true that they may not like it or understand all of it, but as they grow in their knowledge of the Lord, they will appreciate it more and more. In fact, we don’t use this reasoning in other places in life. For example, fathers, who want their children to love baseball, take them to ball games. Now, these young ones may not understand all the rules which means that they may not appreciate the game at all – it might even be boring for children. Someone could argue that taking them to such a complex game may turn them away from embracing the game later as an adult – “why not wait until they can understand it better?” Yet, people continue to bring their children to the games. It’s true that they may love going to the game more for the hotdogs and cotton candy. Their attention may not always be on the field. But they learn to appreciate the game by being at the game (participating, sensing the enthusiasm of the crowd) and they gradually grow in their knowledge and love of the game. And in due time, children will cheer right alongside their fathers. Friends, we must remember that children won’t fall in love with that which they have never experienced – and the impact will be doubled if it’s experienced with the people they love, namely, their parents. Meeting with God, surrounded by the worshiping community, sitting under the Word preached cannot be anything but helpful in turning our children towards God.
Like I said before, this is not easy, which is why we need to regularly, consistently affirm our children. Encourage them and let the children know how much you enjoyed worshiping with them. We need to be patient with our children and shower them with grace because it will take them time to adjust – but they will as long as we’re there to journey with them. At the same time, parents, we need to be patient with ourselves. Our children’s ability to sit still or not is not a reflection of our parenting ability. Our job is simply to remain faithful and diligent. So, be gracious to yourself. And keep looking to your heavenly Father, who loves you even more than you love your own children. Keep placing them in the way of the means of grace, and by God’s grace, in due time, they will begin to worship right alongside you. Let us love our children because Jesus loves them.
3) A LESSON ON GRACE
Listen to what Jesus said in verse 14, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Now, it’s important to point out that Jesus wasn’t saying it’s best to enter the Kingdom as a child – rather, He was saying the Kingdom must be received like a child. What does this mean? The emphasis is not on the virtues of children but the state of children. Here’s what I mean. I said this before, but in the ancient world, when people thought of children, they didn’t say, “Aww, they’re so cute, innocent, and sweet.” What they thought was that they were weak, helpless, insignificant, and of little importance. This was what Jesus was drawing our attention to. They weren’t being blessed for what they had but for all that they lacked. Children lack power, wisdom, and influence. They have no credit, wealth, or achievements to show for. They’re utterly dependent. I know this to be true when I look at my 9 months old – we need to feed him, we need to dress him; we need to carry him everywhere; we need to comfort him so he can go to sleep; we need to constantly watch him, now that he started crawling – make sure that he doesn’t put anything in his mouth. Without our care, he literally would not survive. He’s utterly in need of us. And Jesus was saying this is what it means to receive the Kingdom like a little child – to be helpless, dependent, and insufficient. It means that we submit ourselves to Christ – bringing our weakness instead of our strength, recognizing that we’re a nobody not a somebody, accepting that this salvation is freely received, not deserved. Of course, this goes against everything else in this world because the world tells us to always put our best foot forward – hide our weaknesses and highlight our strengths. But the Kingdom of God is different – there’re no elites. Our goal is not to become independent and self-sufficient. We must recognize that we’re in need of Christ every moment of our lives. We’re completely dependent on Him to save us and sustain us. And that it’s good for us to remain this way.
The truth is that their time with Jesus should’ve taught the disciples that they were undeserving of being with Jesus. They were just as undeserving of any love, any affection, any acceptance of Jesus as these children were. They should’ve seen themselves as needy, unworthy, hopeless apart from Christ – realizing that they were disciples of Christ not because they had earned it, not because they were in any way more special than others, not because they deserved it, but solely because of His grace. They must have known this, but they must have forgotten it along the way – as they matured, as they served alongside Jesus, as others looked up to them as “the Twelve,” as their responsibilities grew, their privilege became an entitlement.
Entitlement is the belief that one is inherently deserving of special treatment. It’s the feeling that you have the right to do or have what you want without necessarily having to work for it. For example, we say things like, “I’m such a hard worker – I don’t understand why I’m not getting a raise. I did my best to remain holy and pure – why isn’t God helping me find a good spouse for myself? I worked so hard to provide for my family – I deserve to watch TV when I get home. I’ve been good with my finances – I deserve to buy something for myself.” Of course, as sinners, the only thing we deserve is God’s judgment, which is why one of the best ways to fight the spirit of entitlement is to remember who God is – His unconditional love, His generous provision, His faithful presence, and His unwavering commitment to us despite our sins. By remembering who God is, we can remain thankful, humble and learn to be satisfied in Christ alone. This is incredibly important because you cannot give grace to others unless you understand that you don’t deserve grace, unless you daily experience and live in the grace of God.
Brothers and sisters, it’s important to regularly diagnose our hearts so that we won’t fall into this temptation. Then here are some questions that will help us do that: “In what areas of my life am I discontent? Why am I feeling so disappointed right now? What do I think I need in order to live an abundant life? How am I comparing my life to someone else’s life?” As you answer these questions, make sure you take your soul to Christ. Wrestle with Christ and let Him speak to you, minister to you. Jerry Bridges said, “[An attitude of entitlement prompts us to] grumble about blessings not received instead of being grateful for those we have received.” I pray that all of us will regularly cultivate a heart of gratitude in Christ as we give thanks for all that we have.
As we finish, let me ask you, “Are you a child of the King? Have you come to the point where you’ve realized that God is holy, you are sinful, and therefore you desperately need a Savior? Have you, like a child, left behind all you were holding on to, and ran to God the Father through Jesus as the only One whom you can trust with your life, both now and forever?” This is the essence of what it means to be a Christian, to be a child of the King.
Then let me ask the Christians, “Are you comfortable with remaining a child in God's eyes? Do you see that you are utterly in need of His grace every single day? Do you see that everything you have is a gift?” The truth is that if there was anyone who truly deserved everything, it was Jesus. He alone deserved all the glory, praises, and honor for He created all things – therefore, all things belong to Him. Yet Paul says in Philippians 2:6-8, “[Jesus] who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ emptied Himself for us so that we would be filled. And now, He calls us to do the same – how can we hoard this grace that has been so generously, freely, sacrificially given to us? You and I have been chosen to be His children – we are eternally God’s sons and daughters. In other words, we can never outgrow His care for us. We will forever be in need, forever weak, forever dependent on God’s wisdom, strength, and love. I pray that we would embrace this truth and rejoice in it.
CONCLUSION
Lighthouse family, the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like little children – those who are poor in spirit. In other words, it’s His grace that enables us to enter His Kingdom. Then as recipients of this great love, may we continue to give this love to others – especially to the children He has placed in our community.
Discussion questions
How are we being a barrier to someone from coming to Jesus? How can we become a bridge for others instead?
How does Jesus’ attitude towards the children differ from that of His disciples? How can we help our children to draw near to Jesus?
Discuss what Jesus means by receiving the Kingdom of God like a child. What implications does this have for us?