CHILDLIKE FAITH

A child's simple trust illustrates what faith is all about. In the following passage, Jesus receives children into His arms and blesses them ... 

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.  Mark 10:13-16

The children were deemed an inconvenience ... time was far spent and this event had interrupted the disciples' trip to Jerusalem. Christ had already spoken to them concerning the suffering He was to experience there. Though they could not comprehend it all, His followers saw that Jesus was heavy in thought and felt that He should not be disturbed.

But the Son of God was moved with indignation when they tried to prevent the children from getting to Him. Jesus sternly admonished them ... 'of such is the Kingdom'. 

How are we to understand and apply this profound statement? 

Coming as a little child does not infer 'innocence' (the common behavior of two-year-olds dispels that notion). Neither does it suggest the wondrous attributes we often associate with children such as trustfulness, receptivity, simplicity, and wonder.

Instead, what Jesus refers to is ... 'helpless dependence'. Every child in the world is absolutely, completely, totally, objectively, subjectively, and existentially powerless. And so it is with everyone who is received into the Kingdom of God. We must enter as those for whom 'everything' must be provided. 

David Gooding - A little child takes its food, its parents’ love and protection, because they are given, without beginning to think of whether it deserves them or whether it is important enough to merit such attention. So must we all receive God’s kingdom and enter into it.

Have you come to Christ like that? Is it His grace plus your 'nothingness'? No one will 'receive the Kingdom of God' without this helpless dependence and humility.