Mark 10:13-16 Big Idea: The Kingdom of God belongs to those who willingly surrender their ideas, agendas, and plans to God for the advance of his kingdom purposes. The Kingdom of God is God’s authority and ability to rule over any and all realms within the created order and beyond in order to bestow the blessings of his good and gracious rule on unworthy subjects for the purpose of displaying his glory to all peoples. 10 Kingdom Realities: God’s Kingdom takes priority. Jesus is Stronger! God is preparing hearts to receive his gospel. God is Building His Kingdom! God’s Kingdom will Thrive. God’s Kingdom is Spiritual. God’s Kingdom is Re-generate. God’s Kingdom belongs to the _______________________. Jesus ___________________ the Disciples. Mark 10:13–14a (ESV) — 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant… All of these things are pointing to the spirit that is to be adopted by the follower of Christ. We are to be broken, dependent, and reliant upon another for our blessing. 10:13 Now people were bringing little children to him for him to touch, but the disciples scolded those who brought them. Jesus ___________________ the Child-like. Mark 10:14–15 (ESV) — 14 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. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 1 Corinthians 1:27–31 (ESV) — 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” To receive the kingdom of God like a child is to be utterly dependent upon God’s every word and work for the salvation of souls. The use of a child as a teaching aid… has explicitly (in terms of its context) to do with status, not with any character traits supposedly typical of children. The child represents the lowest order in the social scale, the one who is under the authority and care of others and who has not yet achieved the right of self-determination. To ‘become like a child’ (Mt. 18:3) is to forgo status and to accept the lowest place, to be a ‘little one’ (Mt. 18:6, 10, 14; 10:42). To ‘receive the kingdom of God’ means to be God’s willing subject, gladly embracing the radical values which Jesus has come to inculcate. It is such ‘reception’ now which is the key to ‘entry’ hereafter. We are not significant or worthy within ourselves, we are significant and worthy because Jesus is significant and worthy. Everything we possess is because of another.
Questions to Consider:
Read Mark 10:35-45. Why is this passage significant to what we learn in Mark 10:13-15? What does the disciples insistence say about us? How does Jesus response help us understand the agenda of God’s kingdom?
How often are you tempted to tell God how to run his household? How might you repent of this mentality and trust in his good and gracious plan?
Is it a comfort that God is calling you to be as a child? Why or why not? How does this childlike faith secure our salvation in Christ?
