Having The Heart of a Child

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 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.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Key Verse – V. 15 Whoever does not receive the kingdom like a child shall not enter it.

Its key because this is a major theme of the Gospel of Mark. Mark 1:14

Mark 1:14–15 (ESV) 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

The kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus is the king. He brings a kingdom. Last week we learned that the greatest in the kingdom are those, who like children do not strive for status. This week Jesus tells his disciples that you cannot even enter the kingdom unless you have to disposition of a child. What does that even mean. If Jesus says you can’t enter unless…. It would be wise to get a very clear picture of what he means. Mark 10:1-30 helps us see what this child like disposition that can receive the kingdom is and what it is not by way of contrast.

Having the Heart of a Child

1. The Principle – Mark 10:13-16

2. The Contrast – Mark 10:17-25

3. The Example – Mark 10:26-31

The Principle – Mark 10:13-16

Mark 10:13–16 (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 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.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

· How would a child receive the kingdom? What is it about children which gives them a fundamental advantage? Listen to how Matthew recounts Jesus’ words. Matthew 18:1–4 (ESV) 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

· Children do not humble themselves because they have no status. They are in a place of total dependance. There is nothing for them to be proud of. Everything that have is provided for them. They are not self-sufficient. If they want to eat, they have to wait on or ask mom and dad.

· Jesus is saying – you must have a sense of dependency or you will never enter the kingdom.

The Contrast – Mark 10:17-25 The Rich young ruler – The Opposite of Dependance

Mark 10:17–25 (ESV)17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

· The Exchange between Jesus and the Rich Man – Mark 10:17-22

o What must I do to inherit eternal life? Or, how do I enter the kingdom?

o How would you answer the man’s question?

o Jesus – You know the commandments (lists only 5 and adds an application of stealing, called defrauding).

o The Man – I have kept these since my youth. Has he though? He is sincere. Jesus looks at him and “loves him” so it is doubtful that he sees him as a hypocrite. It’s more likely that he has a very superficial understanding of the law.

o Jesus – one thing you lack. Go see all you have, give it to the poor, and then follow me.

o The Man – goes away said because he had great possessions.

· Jesus – it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle that a rich person to enter the kingdom. What makes this a true statement? What is the context? See Mark 10:15.

o What does a small child do when they are hungry? Tell mom or dad.

o What does a rich man do when he is hungry? Buys a sandwich.

o A small child is dependent for everything; protection, food, shelter, companionship. They quiet simply need. And when they need, they will tell you.

§ I am hungry.

§ I want to play.

§ I don’t want to play.

§ I am thirsty.

§ I have to poddy.

o When the rich have a need, they use money and the power it affords them to get things done. Prayer becomes a duty which they feel obligated to perform as a religious person but instead of a conversation with a dependent with their provider.

The Example – Mark 10:26-31 The Disciples – Becoming Dependent

Mark 10:26–31 (ESV)26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

· All things are possible with God. Abraham was rich but he was unquestionably dependent on God.

o The fall – man’s decision to be independent from God. They wanted, as we say, to ‘call their souls their own’. But that means to live a lie, for our souls are not, in fact, our own. They wanted some corner in the universe of which they could say to God, ‘This is our business, not yours.’ But there is no such corner. They wanted to be nouns, but they were, and eternally must be, mere adjectives. We have no idea in what particular act, or series of acts, the self-contradictory, impossible wish found expression. For all I can see, it might have concerned the literal eating of a fruit, but the question is…The Problem of Pain, p 75 (1 time)

o Faith – God’s invitation and man’s decision to trust, depend upon God.

· V. 28 The act of faith – We have left everything to follow you.

· V. 29-30 The result of faith – Yes, and you will be provided for. Look what Jesus says.

o Your choices have put you in a position where you are forced to depend on my father to provide.

o God provides all you need: brothers, sisters, lands, homes, AND persecution in this life.

Application Questions

How am I rich? Where am I dependent? Am I willing to become dependent? If not, why? What can I do to foster dependence? What about dependence causes me fear? Why?

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