Whose is the kingdom?

Lead in

Jesus and His disciples were surrounded by wealthy people like rulers, lawyers, and chief priests. They had people on all sids of them who were important. They had people who had done quite a bit with their lives. These were men who pretty much had it all and so they flocked to Jesus thinking they could receive a little bit more. They had all the money they could want, but there were some things they still couldnt buy. Things that Jesus had to offer. These people had heard about the kingdom of heaven that could only be accessed through Jesus Christ. That is some of the back story as we get into what God has for us today.

The New International Version Chapter 18

15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

The New International Version Chapter 18

15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them.

This seems kind of weird for us to read this now. I cant imagine being a parents and taking my baby to a man teaching in the streets and asking Him to touch my baby! But during the time of Jesus, Babies had a much lower chance of surviving than they do today. Medicine was not as advance as it is now. Also, Jesus was traveling around preaching about God’s plan for the world to turn from their sin and follow Him. Jesus did many miracles so that people could see that he truly was the Son of God and had the power to back up His words. Healed blind men, paralyzed people, and even brought people back from the dead. Many people saw these miracles and knew that Jesus words were true and it was all verified by His power. Women who had young babies heard about Jesus’ great power and flocked to Jesus with their babies thinking that If Jesus could heal all these other people then He could certainly make it so their baby doesn't die. They thought if they could just get Jesus to touch their baby then is miraculous power would keep them safe from evil or sickness.

The New International Version Chapter 18

When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.

The disciples began acting almost like bodyguards filtering those who should and should not reach Jesus. Jesus was not always surrounded by rich people, rulers, or people who looked like they had everything figured out, but on this day Jesus was surrounded by that kind of men. On this day Jesus was surrounded by very rich people. On this day Jesus was surrounded by leaders, on this day Jesus was surrounded by rulers. With all of these important people surrounding Jesus, the disciples began filtering those who they though would be important to meet Jesus, those who earned it, and they would let those people talk to Jesus and those who they didn't think were important enough they would turn them away. The disciples decided that young babies should not get the chance to be blessed by Jesus. The reason the disciples zeroed in on babies was because they didn't think that the babies had done anything to deserve Jesus’ blessing. After all, these babies could not speak yet, they could not work yet, and they were incapable of earning anything from Jesus. Because the disciples knew that these babies didn't deserve to be blessed by Jesus, they turned them away opening up space for others possibly more worthy. The disciples thought it made more sense for a rich ruler who accomplished a lot in his life to meet Jesus instead of a baby who did nothing to earn that meeting.

The New International Version Chapter 18

16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

So Jesus realized what the disciples were doing and how they were turning babies away from the blessings of Jesus. Jesus is being the voice for the babies and the babies worried mothers. Jesus even says that people like these babies are going to be the people who get to go to heaven. People like these babies are those who get to have a relationship with Jesus. people like that are the ones who get to follow Jesus. This is where Jesus really uses this as a teaching opportunity.

The New International Version Chapter 18

17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it? Jesus big point was to show all those people surrounding Him that It didn't matter what they accomplished. It didn't matter how great their reputation was. It didn't matter how much people looked up to them. It Just didn't matter at all and none of that stuff would bring them any closer to God, it wouldn't make God like them anymore, it wouldn't get God’s attention like it does for other people. The reason Jesus was so outspoken about none of those accomplishments helping is because THERE IS NOTHING THAT ANYONE CAN DO TO EARN GOD’S LOVE! There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn all the love that God has for us. He just loves us as much as He ever could. He already loves us He already chose us, He already has a plan for us. The difference in a baby, and the rulers who surrounded Jesus was that the rulers believed they did deserve Jesus love. They believed that they were good enough for Jesus blessings. They believed that they earned Jesus love. Jesus is not saying you have to be a baby, He is using babies as an example of someone who is completely helpless and relies on others. People who dont think they can do it on their own. People who think they deserve Jesus love have this attitude that God serves them, But it is not suppose to be that way. People who are like babies and know that they dont deserve God’s love realizes that they serve God and all of His blessings and love is a gift that we dont deserve.

Challenge

Ask yourself this question: Am I like a baby or am I like the other people.

Do I know that I need God? or do I kind of feel like I can do it without Him?

Action step:

If you realize that you think you can do things without God, maybe its time to turn back to Him this morning. The good news is, turning to him makes you like the baby who is in need.

Prayer