Children: Measure and Model
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Children are our MEASURE and MODEL for aligning with Jesus.
Mark 9
Mark 9
How do we know this is one conversation? They are still talking about the conflict between the disciples in v. 50.
Notice that the topic here is community life.
The disciples are arguing about who is greatest in the church
The child is a member of the church
The exorcist is notable because he is not a member of the group.
The conversation returns to the argument—be at peace with each other.
The goal of Jesus’ ministry is a COMMUNITY of HARMONY and GENEROSITY. (Matthew 5:13-16)
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
AMBITION and POWER are an OBSTACLE to that goal.
Jesus is not creating the community with importance or power. He is going to defeat importance and power.
The disciples need to serve.
Rivalry with outsiders is a distraction.
Misleading a child incurs wrath.
We are aligned with Jesus when we HONOR our children—the POWERLESS and UNIMPORTANT among us. (John 13:35)
Jesus tells them to serve each other.
He picks out a child as a measure.
This child is one of them.
They have gotten used to him.
Kids offer us nothing—no power, no importance.
They also don’t reaffirm our egos or offer sterling conversation.
The more you make, the less likely they will be impressed by your job.
If kids are welcome only when they stay in their bounds, then we are honoring them for their entertainment value.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
When you have a relationship with a kid for their sake, you show your alignment with God.
When you choose to talk with a kid over an adult, you show alignment with God.
When the disciples care more about making that child feel welcome than about being the greatest, they will have peace among themselves.
Mark 10
Mark 10
We know this is one passage because the recurring theme of entering the kingdom or not.
The disciples are still out of alignment:
Turning away kids
Surprised about rich man
Peter’s looking for the reward for being humble.
The topic is still the community that Jesus is building.
The reward IS the community.
The goal of Jesus’ ministry is a COMMUNITY of HARMONY and GENEROSITY.
This helps explain the disciples’ confusion.
They thought that the rich man was big enough to enter the kingdom. It turns out, he was too big.
IMPORTANCE and POWER are an OBSTACLE to that goal.
His wealth, his ego would have been an obstacle to that community. He had swollen so big, he couldn’t make room for others.
This is the tragedy of turning away the kids: not only were the disciples missing the point, but they were turning away the ones who could have taught them!
Kids have not developed egos the way we have.
We are aligned with Jesus when we ACT LIKE children—loving and sharing WITHOUT EGO.
We can learn from them.
Mark 11:25 — Letting go of a grudge—my daughters
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Matthew 7:7-11 — Reckless faith—fishing with James
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 10:36-37 — Making neighbors—all three
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
How do we do this?
We need to be salted with fire. (9:43-9)
Paper Outline
Paper Outline
Children are our MEASURE and MODEL for aligning with Jesus.
The goal of Jesus’ ministry is a COMMUNITY of HARMONY and GENEROSITY. (Matthew 5:13-16)
AMBITION and POWER are an OBSTACLE to that goal.
We are aligned with Jesus when we HONOR our children—the POWERLESS and UNIMPORTANT among us. (John 13:35)
We are aligned with Jesus when we ACT LIKE children—loving and sharing WITHOUT EGO.
