Devotional Tuesday: With God, children can find the Kingdom
Mark, children, the rich, and the possible
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes
The Little Children and Jesus
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.The Rich and the Kingdom of God
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Mark 10:13–31
The rich man turns away from Jesus sad, because he is unwilling to give away his money. Jesus paints a picture of incredible difficulty. His teachings here make it appear as though it is nearly impossible to follow him and enter the Kingdom of God.
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Mark has sandwiched in this story a revelation highlighting the true nature of the Kingdom of God—God’s Kingdom is easy enough for a child to experience, yet difficult enough for most to fail at understanding its true meaning.
The child vs. the rich
Jesus highlights the contrast between the right and wrong way of finding his kingdom. The children come to him with simple faith, offering nothing, and unable to attain any godliness themselves.
Jesus takes them into his arms and blesses them.
With God, even children—as powerless and reliant as they are—are able to experience the Kingdom.
When seek with nothing but faith to guide them, they find God and his Kingdom.
In contrast, the rich man comes with flattery, boasting of his righteousness, and unwilling to give to others.
Without God, even the powerful and rich are incapable of attaining the Kingdom.
Notice… Jesus does not say this man cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Rather, the man leaves—thus, abandoning the Kingdom. It is only then that Jesus comments on his failure and the difficulty some have in finding his Kingdom.
While it is easy to read these stories separately, when looked at in conjunction with each other, it becomes clear that Jesus (through the writing of Mark) is creating a clear contrast and tension within his Kingdom.
There are two truths that are simultaneously present.
The Kingdom of God is so simple, with God, even children easily find it.
The Kingdom of God is so reliant on God, that the powerful and rich are not able to find it without total submission.
These two truths are held in a divine tension—a supernatural balance.
May we be reminded today of the simple truth that is following Jesus. In the same moment, may we be reminded of the weighty cost that comes with seeing the Kingdom of God change this world into heaven.