Who is welcome in the kingdom

Two stories told together about the kingdom of God

One with the least of the earthly kingdom, one the greatest of the earthly kingdom

Must come as a child

Jesus was much displeased that they would not let the children come

This showed that they still did not understand about the Kingdom of God

Do not forbid anyone to come, All are welcome in the kingdom of God

Even the lowest and last

If you do not come humble and lowly you will not be welcome

Our works and our wealth are not impressive to God

Must come with a bowed heart

An outward display of humility and pleasing words does not change the heart of God

This man came running and kneeled down before the Lord

Called him good (this is how this man has lived his life by pleasing the right people and saying the right things)

One thing thou lackest, sell your earthly riches and follow me with all your heart

Salvation is only possible by the work of God

Their is not amount of work we can do, no position, no amount of riches that we can obtain to make it into the kingdom of God

must come like a child, no riches, no position, no ability to earn or work their way to salvation

Trusting only, like a son in the father

Must come with hope in the eternal

Jesus told the disciples not to worry but simply trust

Do all for the sake of Christ and the gospel

Do not look to the things of this world and you will have no worries and no temptations

We have hope in all that will be gained in the kingdom to come

We may be last and unwanted here in this world

But God will place us first in his kingdom

Just as the children were shooed away and told they were not wanted we too will endure persecution

But Jesus took them up into his lap and welcomed them with blessing