Mark 10:13-16
New International Version
The Little Children and Jesus 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Friday - October 7
This passage is fairly well known, but what most people miss is the connection to everything Jesus had just been teaching in the preceding verses. What does a child do really well? They take the words of adults seriously. They believe that we are telling them the truth about all sorts of things, like Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. While they might not like our words, they receive them as true. In other words, they have faith in our words. Do you see the connection to what Jesus was trying to teach his disciples? Do you really believe God’s word is true? That God’s word of forgiveness and mercy really is true? How can you get God’s kingdom of grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace, and love if you don’t believe it’s true? If you don’t receive it like a child? In baptism, you already have it all! Seriously! It’s yours. It’s true. You are a beloved child of God.