Mark 10:13-16 - Children and the Kingdom of God
Children can blow us away with their innocence and insights. However, their actions and thinking patterns remind us of how selfish and sinful mankind is. Observe these 10 examples.
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it’s mine.
8. If I saw it first, it’s mine.
9. If you’re playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes theirs.
10. If it’s broken, it’s yours.
Though sinful to the core, Mark 10:13-16 reminds us of the very special place children have in God’s plan.
Christ’s love for children is CERTAIN
All those who share the mind of Christ share His love for children.
Christ’s love for children is NOT IDOLATROUS
Parents, you are to love Christ first over your kids. There should never be a time where your children think you love them more than Jesus. In the way you obey Scripture, love His church, serve Him in ministry, give financially to His work – they must see that you love the Lord with all your heart. When you habitually skip church because of sports or some other sort of entertainment, you need to repent.
Christ’s love for children focuses on their SALVATION
The greatest blessing parents can confer on their children is to lovingly evangelize them. They should not be forced or manipulated to pray a prayer of salvation. Christ should be modeled by parents that live out the Word of God. Children should be taught about their sinfulness and their inability to do anything to save themselves. Parents, your life priority is to evangelize your children. A child’s salvation is a work of God, but parents are to be the agent by which that work is done. Parents are to be the primary, not the exclusive, missionaries in the lives of their children.
Christ’s love for children is never UNBIBLICAL
Christ didn’t baptize infants, nor force them to pray a prayer. He didn’t isolate them from the body of Christ. He didn’t tell parents to keep their children from the influence of other believers. He didn’t sentimentalize children. He never forgot that their hearts are sinful. He never restricted parents from the use of the rod in order to lovingly correct children. Christ didn’t change His mind – everything in His Word about parenting is still the best process to dependently follow.
Christ’s love for children is OVERWHELMING
At the time this story took place, the cruel shadow of the cross was just over a week away. Even in the midst of the coming torture when God’s wrath was going to be poured out on Him for our sins, Jesus made time to take the children in His arms. He loved them, blessed them, smiled at them, and maybe even played with them.
GOSPEL CONNECTION: You have to come to Jesus the same way children come to Him – simple, open, weak, trusting, unpretentious, dependent, lacking achievement, and humbly. The teaching of the New Testament is that you come to Christ with nothing to offer - just like a baby. The only thing that you contribute is the sin that makes salvation necessary. Coming to Jesus is ALL about God’s grace.
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it’s mine.
8. If I saw it first, it’s mine.
9. If you’re playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes theirs.
10. If it’s broken, it’s yours.
Though sinful to the core, Mark 10:13-16 reminds us of the very special place children have in God’s plan.
Christ’s love for children is CERTAIN
All those who share the mind of Christ share His love for children.
Christ’s love for children is NOT IDOLATROUS
Parents, you are to love Christ first over your kids. There should never be a time where your children think you love them more than Jesus. In the way you obey Scripture, love His church, serve Him in ministry, give financially to His work – they must see that you love the Lord with all your heart. When you habitually skip church because of sports or some other sort of entertainment, you need to repent.
Christ’s love for children focuses on their SALVATION
The greatest blessing parents can confer on their children is to lovingly evangelize them. They should not be forced or manipulated to pray a prayer of salvation. Christ should be modeled by parents that live out the Word of God. Children should be taught about their sinfulness and their inability to do anything to save themselves. Parents, your life priority is to evangelize your children. A child’s salvation is a work of God, but parents are to be the agent by which that work is done. Parents are to be the primary, not the exclusive, missionaries in the lives of their children.
Christ’s love for children is never UNBIBLICAL
Christ didn’t baptize infants, nor force them to pray a prayer. He didn’t isolate them from the body of Christ. He didn’t tell parents to keep their children from the influence of other believers. He didn’t sentimentalize children. He never forgot that their hearts are sinful. He never restricted parents from the use of the rod in order to lovingly correct children. Christ didn’t change His mind – everything in His Word about parenting is still the best process to dependently follow.
Christ’s love for children is OVERWHELMING
At the time this story took place, the cruel shadow of the cross was just over a week away. Even in the midst of the coming torture when God’s wrath was going to be poured out on Him for our sins, Jesus made time to take the children in His arms. He loved them, blessed them, smiled at them, and maybe even played with them.
GOSPEL CONNECTION: You have to come to Jesus the same way children come to Him – simple, open, weak, trusting, unpretentious, dependent, lacking achievement, and humbly. The teaching of the New Testament is that you come to Christ with nothing to offer - just like a baby. The only thing that you contribute is the sin that makes salvation necessary. Coming to Jesus is ALL about God’s grace.
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