“And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them” (Mark 10:13-16).
These verses come from the Gospel of Mark, one of many three synoptic Gospels.
The Gospel of Mark is attributed to St. Mark the Evangelist.
“Although he was not a direct disciple of Jesus, Saint Mark is the author of one of the four Gospel accounts and played a vital role in spreading the Gospel as a missionary in the early church,” says the web site for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
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The verses function a message to all believers: The kingdom of God requires “tapping into a place of deep vulnerability and weakness,” Dr. James Spencer advised Fox News Digital.
Spencer is president of the D. L. Moody Center in addition to host of a weekly radio present, “Useful to God,” and a each day podcast, “Thinking Christian.”
Massachusetts-based Dr. James Spencer displays on the story of “The Little Children and Jesus” and what it means for Christians right now. (iStock/Loch; Key Photography)
The D. L. Moody Center is an impartial nonprofit group impressed by the life and ministry of Dwight Moody. It is positioned in Northfield, Massachusetts.
“God’s kingdom does not belong to those who depend on their own strength,” he advised Fox News Digital.
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In the verses from Mark, Jesus was “indignant” after his disciples shooed away the kids, mentioned Spencer.
Jesus insisted the younger ones be allowed to return to him.
“The little children provide a picture of what is required to receive the kingdom of God,” mentioned Spencer.
Stained glass within the Church of Saint Severin, Latin Quarter, Paris, depicting Jesus with little kids. (iStock)
“Is it because the children are innocent, or has their youth somehow kept them from becoming jaded to the ways of the world like adults too often are?” mentioned Spencer.
“That is certainly possible,” he mentioned.
Another narrative from the Gospel of Mark, nonetheless, gives a “more plausible” rationalization, he mentioned.
The subsequent story in Mark describes the interplay between Jesus and the wealthy man, whom Jesus then instructs, “Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
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The wealthy man was extraordinarily upset by this demand — and “went away sorrowful,” famous Spencer.
“Jesus then turns to his disciples and says, ‘Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God?’” mentioned Spencer.
The wealthy individual had one thing to lose when he selected to comply with Christ, mentioned Dr. James Spencer of the D.L. Moody Center in Massachusetts — however the younger kids’s dependence on others turns into their power. (iStock)
The wealthy individual, defined Spencer, “has means.”
Said Spencer, “He has something to lose by following Jesus. Entering God’s kingdom would be difficult for the rich because entering the kingdom requires them to recognize the flimsy and fleeting security provided by their wealth.”
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“Those who are living comfortably and have the resources to survive, if not thrive, in the world on their own will find it difficult to look beyond their wealth and acknowledge their own fragility,” Spencer added.
“Their dependence becomes a strength because they have nothing to set aside before receiving the kingdom of God.”
Children, he mentioned, are the other of the wealthy individual.
“The children are utterly dependent and easily marginalized — even the disciples are prepared to send them away,” mentioned Spencer. “Their dependence becomes a strength because they have nothing to set aside before receiving the kingdom of God.”
“Paradoxically, though the children come with nothing, they have great wealth,” he mentioned.
They belong to the dominion of God.
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