This morning I'm going to skip commenting on the fascinating stories of 1 Samuel 4-6, where we see what happens when the Philistines tried to mix the Holy God of Israel with their pagan gods, and I'm going to focus in on Mark 10, and Jesus' appeal for us to have hearts as little children.
[By the way: You want to know how to really discover a great man or woman? Look at their heart towards children, towards the little ones, towards the little unimportant people around them...the people that can do nothing for them. See how they relate and value them, and you will know their true heart!]
Jesus loved the children, and it was evident that they felt His love, for they probably clamored around Him constantly, and mother's often brought their little ones to Him for blessing. Obviously the disciples saw this as a nuisance... they probably thought, "All these little children are distracting Jesus from His main work and mission." So they tried to discourage the children and mothers from coming near. But how did Jesus respond?
"... When Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.' And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them." (Mark 10:14-16)
Wow! This must have shocked the socks off all those that were listening... Why does Jesus say that if we don't receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, we can't enter?
I think it has to do with the childlike humility, abiding love, and lack of pretense that children exude. Children come with no airs, nothing to prove, no ego to protect, and no one to impress... They come to love and receive love. They come because they are hungry and in need and they expect you to feed them. And what mom and dad says to them is TRUTH. What Jesus said was TRUTH to them, also! They believed it! If He said they could go to heaven, they wanted to be there. If He told stories of how Jonah was swallowed by a whale, and the Red Sea opened for the children of Israel, they believed Him. They weren't too old to be prejudiced with the doubt and skepticism of the age. This is the sweet beauty of the little ones... their simple joy, their simple faith, their simple trust, their naive innocence and humility, and their tender love. We need more of this in our lives. And it is with this spirit, the spirit of need and sweet humility that we must come in search of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Another thing in Mark 10 that really speaks to me is how Jesus deals with the competition among the disciples. They are always worried about who is being noticed, who receives the most favors, who is first, and who will be honored the most in heaven. It's the same spirit we often struggle with today. But Jesus rebukes that self-centered attitude.
Let's read again what the Bible says:
Let's read again what the Bible says:
Basically Jesus is saying, "Hey guys! What is up with this competition? Even I didn't come to earth to be served. Do you think I left heaven for special favors? No, I came to be a servant. And this is what you are called to be as well. The rules of heaven are opposite the rules of the world. You have to take up your cross and die to your self if you are truly going to live."
Wow! What a challenge it must have been to His disciples to hear these words, and what a challenge it is to our hearts today. We all must die a greater death to self, a greater death than we've yet imagined. However, if God's church truly embraced this spirit and this attitude of humility, what a difference there would be among us.
[END-NOTES: Now's a perfect opportunity to share another handout that has really challenged my heart and life personally. I share this everywhere I go. It's called, The Beauty of Humility.]
Tomorrow's Reading: 1 Sam. 7-9 and Mark 11
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