Mark 10:13–16 is a simple paragraph with no indication of location or surroundings. But it gives you Christ’s view as to who are members of his kingdom.
Let the little children come. The disciples refused to allow the children to be brought to Jesus. The disciples rebuked the parents. Those bringing the children are not identified beyond “they,” but most naturally would refer to the parents. “Them” at the end of verse 13 is masculine, which would suggest that fathers were among those bringing the children. “Children” covers a broad range of ages. Luke 18:15 is specific, “infants.” Here they include children young enough for Jesus to take them in his arms to bless them. The disciples may have been well intentioned, trying to protect Jesus from trivial interruptions. They rebuke the parents. Jesus was indignant. The word refers to heated indignation or rage, and this is the only place that it is used of Jesus. His reaction is understandable against the background of the Old Testament treatment of children as part of the covenant community.
“The attitude of the disciples, to which these words of Jesus were the rebuke, was one that rested on the assumption that little children were not of sufficient importance to occupy the attentions of Jesus and were not really within the compass of his kingdom task. In contrast, our Lord’s reply is to the effect that none are more intimately involved in his redemptive work and ministry than little infants and that therefore they are to be received into the bosom of the saints’ fellowship and love.”
John Murray, Christian Baptism, pages 65–66
Jesus said, the kingdom belongs to such as these. These children are not excluded, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Jesus is speaking not only of the child-like, but of these children as well. What was true of the membership of children in the Old Testament covenant, was true in the kingdom that Christ preached and established by his life, death, and resurrection. Children, recognize that you are members of Christ’s body. You are part of his kingdom. In contrast with the children of unbelievers, you are holy, 1 Corinthians 7:14. You are among the “saints” and “brothers” addressed in Ephesians and Colossians. Keep looking to Jesus as your Savior. Be alert for opportunities to serve others in the kingdom into which he has brought you. When you’re asked to do something because everyone is doing it, remember that you are part of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. When you’re tempted to argue with or speak disrespectfully to your parents, remember who you are. Worship and serve God joyfully. Parents and other adults, recognize that children are part of the kingdom of God. Treat them as such. Don’t fall into the trap of treating your children as simply part of the world in rebellion against God. Don’t abuse the principle (trust in baptism or the faith of parents, rather than in Christ is a fatal mistake–and both parents and children can be guilty of that). Do evangelize your children (remembering that the evangel, the good news, is what every believer needs). Pray with them and for them. Fathers, lead in family devotions. Teach your children, by word and example, the joy of worshiping God together with his people. Do you send the unintended message that other activities are really more important than assembling with the saints.
“Jesus… takes over John’s baptism, threby proclaiming that, despite their being circumcized, the Jews need repentance and forgiveness…. [H]e continues to regard their children as children of the covenant (Matt. 18:2ff.; 19:13ff.; 21:15–16; Mark 10:13ff.; Luke 9:48; 18:15ff.). He calls them to himself, embraces them, lays hands on them, blesses them, tells them that theirs is the kingdom of heaven, marks them as an example to adults, warns the latter not to offend them, says that their angels watch over them, and reads their hosannas as a fulfilment of the prophecy that God has made the speech of children a power by which those who hate him are silenced, and he has ordained praise… from their lips.”
Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 4, p. 528
Receive the kingdom like a little child. Enter the kingdom as a child does. Children enter the kingdom by God’s grace. It’s not that children are innocent—ask parents, or remember your own childhood. The primary focus of Jesus’ words is not on the childlike quality of faith—remember Luke’s description of the children’s age. Rather, what they receive is completely unearned. Children may sometimes feel that the reason their parents had them was so that they could do chores, but in reality, a parent does not say, if you mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, and vacuum the living room, then you can stay in the family. The grace of God in Christ is the only basis for your entering the kingdom. Your salvation is God’s gift, unearned, Ephesians 2:8–10. Your salvation, whether you are an adult or a child, is God giving his only Son to suffer and die in your place, bearing the guilt and penalty of your sin. Fight the natural tendency to try to do something to deserve what God gives. Recognize that attitude for what it is–a rejection of the sufficiency of Christ’s work in your place. Christ offers you the kingdom, eternal fellowship with himself and the Father, when you enter like a child—by grace.
Jesus did bless the children. Jesus does speak of those like children, but he does not lose sight of the children there before him. In the Old Testament it was clear that a blessing was not just a casual wish. Real consequences flowed out of blessings pronounced. That’s why Jacob had deceived his aging, blind father and received the blessing that Isaac thought he was giving to Esau. Jacob, in turn blesses Joseph’s sons and intentionally places his right hand on the younger. If those blessing meant something, how much more when the Son of Man himself blesses the children. Jesus blessed them, taking them in his arms and placing his hand on them. He made clear that they and their parents knew that they were part of the kingdom of God. Treat your children as those who have been blessed by Christ.
Remember Jesus’ indignation at those who excluded children from his presence. Enter his kingdom by grace!
