Childlike Faith

Some people were bringing little children to Him so He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw it He was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me. Don't stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you: "Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16

Only in the last chapter does Jesus take a child in His arms and declare that " whoever welcomes a little child such as this in My name welcomes Me..." Yet the disciples had quickly forgotten. Here they were trying to rule the roost.

This scripture tells us that children are very welcome to Jesus, that children are more open and receptive to Him. This is why children need to be in church and attending scripture lessons. The lessons give them a good foundation for knowing Him.

We can only imagine that the disciples considered the children a nuisance or an intrusion. Perhaps many of the disciples had no children and therefore did not grasp the importance. However, it also shows us that they, like us, can have a hard heart and want to run things mechanically, according to a plan we devise.

Jesus is all heart, not in a hurry and wanting to touch everyone from little children upwards. He connected with tax collectors and prostitutes right through to members of the Sanhedrin. He was not a discriminator.

Jesus also said something important: "whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." We need childlike faith. Amen!