“Royal Children” – MARK 10:13-16

These few verses hold a wealth of insight into the mind of God, and the central reality that He has revealed Himself as the Divine Father.

In the broadest sense, all humans are His offspring (Acts 17:29). In Jesus the Christ, however, the Father reveals that we must be “born again” (John 3:3) to receive salvation from sins. If all people are children of the Creator, then only those who obey the gospel (“born again”) are children of the King (Mark 10:14). The verses also give us insight into the various responses of people to the gospel call. In training the disciples and engaging the people, Jesus teaches all lessons about His kingdom and the awesome salvation waiting for whosoever will come to Him like a little child.

While we might think that we would never physically prevent anyone from coming close to God, the disciples provide a negative example that we should carefully discern.

They thought they were protecting Jesus and being helpful to Him (3:13). People were bringing children to simply be touched by the Master Teacher. How precious is that kind of faith!

Christians are not the “gatekeepers” of the Lord’s church.

Instead we are both children of the King and heralds for the King.

Hindering folks from coming to Jesus takes many forms aside from the physical sense in this scene. What is the effect on others when my attitude or my actions or my words discourage them from seeking salvation? I might be as sincere as the disciples and might even think I am doing the Lord’s bidding … but, those I hinder are still lost. And, Jesus was indignant at the self-appointed “gatekeepers” (3:14a)!

When Jesus said “of such is the kingdom of God” (3:14b), He did not mean that only children could be saved. He taught of an attitude of vulnerability and trust that is found in small children. They have streaks of independence, but they are at their core completely dependent on their parents for guidance and nurturing.

Jesus says that receiving the kingdom is a matter of this vulnerable trusting dependence upon God (3:15).

Exclusion from salvation ultimately is self-inflicted, even if “hindered” by others. The “rich, young ruler” in the next scene is a perfect example of someone who comes to Jesus with self-assured self-dependence. Jesus does not run people away from the kingdom, but He allows them to go away of their own choosing.

For those who are willing to be vulnerable, there is recognition that sin is our fatal flaw that we cannot cure. The commission of Jesus is for His disciples to echo His call for trusting Him as the only One with the solution. We cannot depend on the messenger, but can only depend upon Messiah. Sure, we have an independent streak, but the kingdom of God is only for those who relinquish control and allow the Father to guide and nurture them. The reward is as pure and beautiful as this scene of a hug from Jesus (3:16).

Only the royal children of God are safe in the arms of Jesus!

Need a hug?