#42 – Come Like a Child
Series: Mark
Chuck Sligh
March 21, 2021
TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 10:13. READING: Psalm 139 and Mark 10:13-16.
INTRODUCTION
You gotta’ love kids! They’re a lot of work and sometimes frustrating, but man, are they a hoot!
Illus. – Asked to tell a Bible story in their own words, here are some gems from some kids:
• One wrote, “The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.”
• Another, “The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.”
• A little girl wrote, “Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.”
Illus. – Someone asked another group of kids some questions about love and marriage. – Here are some of the questions and my favorite answers from this group of kids:
• To the question, “How does a person decide to marry?”, Allen, age 10 said, “You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.”
• When asked “When is the proper age to get married?”, Freddie, age 10, said, “No age is good to get married at....You got to be a fool to get married!”
• Asked “How can someone tell if people are married?”—Derrick, age 8, said: “You might have to guess based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.”
We love kids in the church because the Bible teaches us to love kids. That was not the case outside of the Judeo-Christian world. In many societies, infanticide was neither condemned nor uncommon. Wikipedia says, “Now universally illegal, infanticide was a widespread practice throughout human history that was mainly used to dispose of unwanted children.”
Illus. – For instance, a papyrus letter to his expectant wife, Alis, dated in 1 B.C., written by a man named Hilarion (which ironically means “cheerful”) instructs her: “If it is a male child let it [live]; if it is female, cast it out.”
All through the Bible, both before Christ and after, children are seen as a blessing. Yet even in Jewish society with clear Old Testament regard for children, they were mostly seen for their eventual contribution to the family’s productivity and income when they grew older. The time from birth to adulthood was often viewed as an unavoidable phase to get through until children could become useful to the family.
Well, in today’s text, we’ll see how Jesus elevated the dignity and intrinsic value of children. He loves them for what they are and what they teach us. This is one of my favorite scriptures in all the Bible, so let’s jump right in…
I. IN VERSE 13, THE APOSTLES SHOW A DISREGARD FOR CHILDREN. – “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them; but his disciples rebuked those who brought them.”
Mark tells us that some parents brought their children to Jesus. The Greek word for “young children” here is paidía, which was used for children from babies to preteens.
The parents brought them to Jesus so that He might “touch” them. Now touching children has bad connotations today, but “touching” here referred to laying hands on the children to bless them, as is seen later in verse 16 where Jesus does this very thing. Lying hands on children was a Jewish custom going all the way back to the time of the patriarchs in Genesis when fathers laid hands on their sons to bless them. What the parents wanted here was all very proper, traditional and wonderful.
But the disciples would have none of it! They rebuked those who brought them. Why?
• One reason may have been to protect Jesus. They knew He was under pressure, and they were constantly overwhelmed by large crowds. But that doesn’t explain Jesus’ sharp reaction in the verses that follow.
• Another explanation that is offered is that little children were of little importance to the disciples since they help further their cause in any way. If so, in the disciples’ minds they would be a waste of Jesus’ time. In that case, the disciples had a utilitarian approach to people: the idea of placing value on people on the basis of what they can do to help you.
• A third possibility is that this was another manifestation of the exclusivism and elitism we saw in Mark 9:38 where they forbade an exorcist from casting out demons in Jesus’ name.
Regardless of their reason, it backfired on them….
II. IN VERSE 14, JESUS’ SHOWS HIS LOVE FOR CHILDREN. – “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, ‘Suffer [or “allow”] the little children come unto me, and forbid them not, for the kingdom of God of such is the kingdom of God [or literally, “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”]
Jesus was “greatly displeased” by what the disciples were doing. The Greek word here means “to arouse to anger.” In other words, this really ticked Jesus off!
In no uncertain terms He says, “Allow the little children come to me”…and to reinforce how He felt about children, He added, “and do not forbid them…” What makes someone angry tells you a lot about what’s important to that person. Jesus’ reaction here teaches that He has a love for those who are vulnerable and powerless, and that’s almost the definition of a child.
Rather than banishing children, Jesus lifts them up as the true heirs of the kingdom He is inaugurating. – He said, “…for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Adults have a tendency to feel like they have to work for whatever they get, whereas children realize that everything they have is given to them. The food they eat, the clothes they wear, the toys they play with, the Happy Meals and ice cream cones at McDonald’s—they’re all freely received by children, with no thought that they must earn them.
The reason Jesus says “…the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” is because they receive it as a gift, not because they deserve it or are worthy or innocent or good. – In fact, they’re absolute brats sometimes… but that doesn’t prevent them from receiving all they need from their parents, nor does it stop parents from providing them.
III. NEXT, IN VERSE 15, JESUS REVEALS THE NEED FOR US TO HAVE CHILDLIKE FAITH TO BE SAVED – “Verily I say unto you, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it.”
The phrase, “Verily [or truly] I say to you,” was frequently used by Jesus to say, “Listen carefully. What I am about to tell you is very important.”
So Jesus was trying to get His listeners to pay close attention to what He was about to say. What He wanted them to pay attention to is that God’s kingdom can only be received with the trustful attitude of a little child. The phrase “shall not” is more exclusive and emphatic in the Greek: it literally means “in no way” or “by no means.”
Jesus was teaching something very important: that entry into His kingdom cannot be earned by human merit or works in any way, shape, form or fashion. There’s no way that anyone, by any means whatsoever, can receive salvation by anything they do to earn it. It must be received as God’s gift by simple trust, recognizing that you have no right nor ability nor power to enter into God’s kingdom in any other way than by simply receiving it by the kind of simple trust of a child.
Some people mistakenly think that Jesus is praising children here because of their innocence and humility and eagerness to please. This is not the case at all. Jesus understood the innate sinfulness of children passed down from Adam. He uses children as examples to us not because of their VIRTUES, but because of what they LACK. They come just as they are: small, powerless and without sophistication.
James R. Edwards says, “A little child has absolutely nothing to bring, and whatever a child receives, he or she receives by grace on the basis of sheer neediness rather than by any merit inherent in him- or herself.”
Therefore, says William L. Lane, “The demand that a man become as a little child calls for a fresh realization that he is utterly helpless in his relationship to the Kingdom….The comparison “receive…as a little child” draws its force from the nature of the child to take openly and confidently what is given. The unchildlike piety of achievement must be abandoned in the recognition that to receive the Kingdom is to allow oneself to be GIVEN it.” [Emphasis mine.]
IV. THEN, IN VERSE 16, JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN BROUGHT TO HIM – “And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
Isn’t that beautiful? Jesus wasn’t some stuck-up old grouch who didn’t have time for children. He would never yell, “Get off my lawn!” He loved kids, He dignified them, and He took them tenderly in His arms and laid His holy hands upon each one and blessed them one-by-one. I’m sure it was an experience many of them would never forget, or if they were too young to remember, their parents would tell them about it over and over again.
CONCLUSION
Now do you see why this passage of Scripture is one of my favorite texts in the Bible? God didn’t give us His inspired Word in order for us to become Bible trivia experts. As Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16, all Scripture “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness.”
How can we profit from this story in Mark’s gospel? Let me share two key things God wants us to take away from this passage:
1) First, this passage teaches us the importance of children’s ministry.
Illus. – The great 19th century American evangelist, D.L. Moody once returned from a meeting and reported two-an-a-half conversions. The person he was talking with said, “¿Two adults and a child, I suppose?” “No,” replied Moody, “two children and an adult. The children gave their whole lives. The adult had only half of his left to give.”
A 2019 study found that two-thirds of all believers came to faith before the age of 18, and 43% came to Christ before age 12. In other words, childhood conversion is the “normal” way people come to Christ. The study says, “No matter who does the survey, one fact is overwhelming. Once a person reaches adulthood, accepting Christ becomes increasingly rare. Evangelism is most effective in the childhood and teenage years.” [https://ministry-to-children.com/childrens-ministry-statistics/]
Why is that?—As Jesus taught, kids naturally grasp the simple faith it takes to be saved. What a call for us to keep at the job of evangelizing and discipling our children!
That’s one reason we have always had a strong emphasis on a vigorous KIDS Church and Kid’s Sunday School at GBC. We have only one children’s class now due to German coronavirus restrictions, and no nursery or three-year-old class for the time being. But before COVID-19 we had an infant nursery, a toddler nursery, a three-year old class and three graded classes during the service, as well as a Sunday School nursery, 2 kids Sunday school classes and a teen Bible Study class before the church service. We long for the days when we can return to a full ministry to our kids, because to us this is so important!
But you must not rely on KIDS ministry to teach and disciple your children! Parents, YOU are the key to your kids’ spiritual development; the church is only meant to come alongside and reinforce YOUR role.
The survey I just referenced found that 50.5% of kids who came to Christ were led by a loving father or mother, and 24% cited other family members as key to helping them come Christ. Parents, you are the biggest influence on your children coming to faith in Jesus.
Let me share some ways you can foster faith in your children’s lives:
• First, live a godly life before your kids so they can see that the Christian faith is important, and that following Jesus has real positive results.
• Second, teach them the Christian faith at their level.
You can do this through Bible storybooks, or by teaching them a catechism—but most importantly, read and explain the Bible to them.
Timothy was one of Paul’s most valuable disciples as he travelled around Europe evangelizing and planting churches. Later he became the pastor of the Ephesian church and Paul wrote him two letters to help him as a young preacher. In 1 Timothy 3:13-15 Paul warns Timothy about evil men and seducers who would wax worse, deceiving and being deceived. Then he told him to continue in the things he had learned. Verse 15 says, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
In chapter 1, verse 5, Paul says, “I call to remembrance the unfeigned [that is, “genuine”] faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
It was in childhood through faithful training by his mother and grandmother that Timothy came to faith and learned the scriptures. Parents, teach your kids while they’re tender to the things of God!
• Third, bring your children to church.
Some people think that kids should make their own decision to come to church or not, but that simply doesn’t make sense. Church is where children learn the most important truths about life and the way to find eternal life when their hearts are tender and malleable. Not taking them to church says to them, “This is not really all that important.”
Besides, kids are not capable of knowing what’s good for them. They’ll make the wrong decision every time! Give them the choice between vegetables or junk food and which do you think they’ll choose? Give them the choice to come to church or sleep in and watch TV and play video games and which do you think they’ll choose?
What if your child woke up one day and said, “I’m not going to school anymore. I don’t like it.” Would you say, “Oh, okay, honey, that’s your decision. We don’t believe in forcing our kid to do things they don’t want to do.” No, YOU know that school is essential to their development and will prepare them for life, so you say, “Don’t be ridiculous. Go to your room right and get ready for school right now.”
Bringing your children to church is preparing them for eternal life at the one time in their life they are most receptive to God’s truth.
• Number 4: Be faithful to church and get involved in ministry in the church and involve THEM in the ministry you’re doing whenever possible.
Kids learn by doing. I’ve found that most people who get involved in teaching children as adults began as kids or teens alongside their parents.
• Fifth, watch the influences in your children’s lives. – Guide them in the kids they hang out with; be careful in whose homes you allow them to spend time; be selective in what they view on TV and movies; monitor the music they listen to; and carefully guide what they read.
Last, PRAY for your kids every day. Pray for their salvation and for safety both from physical danger, of course, but more importantly, from moral and spiritual danger. And pray for wisdom and for God’s protection of your marriage—the most valuable asset your kids have to be successful in life.
2) Here’s a second key fundamental truth God wants us to take away from this sermon: Understand that no one will get into the Kingdom of God unless he or she receives God’s salvation like a child—no one!
There is NOTHING you can do to earn your salvation or God’s favor by anything you do other than exercise simple childlike faith in God’s promise to save you.
The second and third verses of that blessed old hymn, Rock of Ages, accurately conveys how each of us must come to Christ:
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All could never sin erase,
Thou must save, and save by grace.
Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace:
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
As biblical and accurate as that lovely old hymn is, it pales in comparison to the Word of God itself which alone has power to cut through to our innermost being:
• Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
• In Romans 5:6 and 8 we read, “For when we were yet without strength [the Greek phrase means “when we were still helpless”], in due time Christ died for the ungodly….8 But God commendeth [or “demonstrates” his love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• Titus 3:5 and 7 say, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit; 7 that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
• When a Roman soldier had an earth-shattering experience (he literally had just survived an earthquake), he earnestly asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” – Paul’s answer was short and simple: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved…” (Acts 16:30-31)
I could go on and on, but you get the picture: The Bible is absolutely crystal clear that no one can by any means whatsoever have their sins forgiven or obtain eternal life or be in right relationship with God or ever have a hope of heaven by any other way than by simply receiving it in simple childlike faith.
I invite you to stop trusting in yourself or your works or any religious rite or ordinance, or anything else you are trusting in be acceptable before God…and simply trust in Jesus and what He did on the cross for you.
There’s no other way. Don’t delay. Turn in simple faith to Jesus Christ today.
