Mark 10:13-16 Let the Children Come to Me

Let the Children Come to Me

Mark 10:13–16

Introduction

Have you ever tried to put together a puzzle? You start by sorting the pieces, grouping similar ones together, and building the border. But sometimes, you find a piece that doesn’t fit anywhere yet, so you set it aside until you see where it belongs.

In life, we often do the same thing with ideas. We tend to accept what makes sense to us and set aside what doesn’t fit our understanding. This happened in Jesus’ time too. Different groups of people responded to His teachings in different ways. Some opposed Him, some were drawn to Him but struggled to follow, and even His own disciples often misunderstood His purpose.

In Mark 10, we see these three responses clearly. The Pharisees tried to challenge Jesus (Mark 10:1–12), a rich man wanted to follow Him but couldn’t let go of his wealth (Mark 10:17–22), and even Jesus’ own disciples misunderstood what He came to do (Mark 10:13–16). In the middle of these conflicts, Jesus used children as an example to teach a powerful truth about how we enter the kingdom of God.

Background & Context

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). This was a shocking statement in His culture. Children were not seen as important or capable of contributing much. They had no status, no achievements, and no way to prove themselves worthy. Yet, Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them.

This idea wasn’t new. Throughout the Old Testament, God often chose people the world overlooked. David was just a boy when God anointed him as king, even though others thought he was too young and weak (1 Samuel 16:6–7; 17:32–33, 41–45). Israel itself was not chosen because it was great but because of God’s grace (Deuteronomy 9:4–8). The same principle applies to entering God’s kingdom—it’s not about status, effort, or worthiness. It’s about receiving His grace with childlike faith.

Who Does the Kingdom of God Belong To? (Mark 10:13–14)

People were bringing their children to Jesus so He could bless them, but the disciples tried to stop them. They likely thought Jesus was too important for children. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant—deeply upset. He told them to let the children come because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

This was a radical statement. In our world, people are often valued for what they achieve. Success in sports, academics, or business earns recognition. But the kingdom of God doesn’t work that way.

  • Children couldn’t fulfill the Jewish law or religious requirements.
  • In many cultures, children are seen as a burden rather than a blessing.
  • Children are completely dependent on others to care for them.

Yet, Jesus pointed to them as an example of who belongs in God’s kingdom. This meant that entrance into the kingdom isn’t about what we do but about our posture before God—humble, dependent, and trusting (Isaiah 66:2; Matthew 18:4).

The disciples were restricting access to the One who had come for the very ones they were turning away. What they longed for themselves—embrace, blessing, and kingdom citizenship—they were withholding from others. But Jesus revealed something astonishing: the children already belonged. They held citizenship in the kingdom of God. When exactly that responsibility for personal sin revokes that standing is a mystery (Deuteronomy 29:29), but Jesus affirms their inclusion. What the Pharisees and even the disciples desired for themselves was already true of these little ones.

How Do We Enter the Kingdom? (Mark 10:15–16)

Jesus said, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:15). This tells us two things:

  1. We must receive the kingdom as a gift. A child doesn’t earn love or care—they simply receive it. In the same way, we can’t earn salvation. It is given by grace through faith, not by our works (Romans 5:1–11; Ephesians 2:8–9).
  2. Jesus alone gives the blessing. He took the children in His arms and blessed them. This was a picture of what He does for all who trust Him. Just as children couldn’t prove their worth, neither can we. But Jesus welcomes those who come to Him in faith.

Children trust what they are advised without demanding constant proof. This doesn’t mean they can’t ask sincere questions—Mary did when told she would bear the Messiah (Luke 1:34–35)—but their questions come from a place of trust, not skepticism. Zechariah, in contrast, doubted and was struck mute for demanding evidence (Luke 1:18–20). One posture believes in order to understand; the other demands understanding before it will believe.

Conclusion

The disciples were preventing public embrace and blessing from Jesus for those who truly belonged to the kingdom. Can you imagine what’s in store for those who believe and trust in the Christ as revealed in Jesus? One day, we will be publicly embraced and blessed before a watching world—a world that once called our faith foolish and, in some cases, persecuted believers to death (Revelation 3:9–11; 2 Timothy 4:8).

Like a puzzle piece that doesn’t seem to fit at first, Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God challenges our assumptions. The Pharisees thought righteousness came through law-keeping. The rich man thought it came through possessions. Even the disciples assumed Jesus had more important things to do than bless children. But Jesus turned their expectations upside down.

The kingdom of God is not for those who try to prove themselves, but for those who come like children—humbly, dependently, and with faith in Christ alone. Just as Jesus welcomed the little children, He welcomes us—not because of anything we’ve done, but because of what He has done for us.

Scripture References

  • 1 Samuel 16:6–7; 17:32–33, 41–45 – God chose David as king while he was still a boy, showing that God looks at the heart, not appearances.
  • Deuteronomy 9:4–8 – Israel was chosen not for righteousness but because of God’s grace.
  • Mark 10:4–5 – Jesus explains that Moses permitted divorce due to the hardness of people’s hearts.
  • Mark 10:17, 21–22 – The rich young ruler walked away because he loved his possessions more than Christ.
  • Romans 5:1–11 – We are justified by faith and reconciled to God through Jesus, not through works.
  • Isaiah 66:2 – God looks to the one who is humble and contrite in spirit.
  • Matthew 18:4 – Jesus says whoever humbles himself like a child is greatest in the kingdom.
  • Luke 1:34–35 – Mary asks how the promise will be fulfilled, displaying faith seeking understanding.
  • Luke 1:18–20 – Zechariah doubts the angel’s message and is disciplined for his unbelief.
  • Deuteronomy 29:29 – The secret things belong to the Lord, but what He reveals is for us to obey.
  • Revelation 3:9–11 – Jesus promises to vindicate His people and make their enemies bow before them.
  • 2 Timothy 4:8 – A crown of righteousness awaits all who long for Christ’s appearing.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1 John 2:18-25 It Is The Last Hour

Image
1 John 2:18-25 It Is The Last Hour Introduction Confusing topics can often lead us to lose interest or become hesitant, which stops us from exploring issues on our own. With the overwhelming amount of information, commentary, opinions, and conflict available, it can be easy to dismiss the exploration of a subject as a lost cause, believing it cannot be understood. Before confidently diving into the deep end of the pool, it is important to learn the fundamentals, because this knowledge will give you the confidence to swim effectively. When speaking of the antichrist, that same logic applies. Rather than letting confusion or fear control the conversation, we need to understand what God has actually said in His Word and see how He has already prepared us to recognize what is true and what is false (1 John 2:18-25). Rejection of Christ During the Last Hour John begins by calling his readers children and telling them that it is the last hour (1 John 2:18). This d...
Read more

Jude 14–16 Behold, the Lord Comes...to Execute Judgment on All

Image
Behold, the Lord Comes...to Execute Judgment on All Jude 14–16 When people talk about Christianity, the topic of judgment usually makes them uncomfortable. Some think it is too harsh. Others think it does not fit with the message of grace. But Jude, the brother of Jesus, makes it clear that judgment is not a new idea. He quotes Enoch, the seventh from Adam, to remind us that God has always promised to bring justice to His creation. Judgment Was Always Part of the Plan Enoch said, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment on all." This was spoken long before Abraham, Moses, or the prophets. Long before the law, even before the flood. That means the truth of God’s judgment has been known since the beginning. It is not a man-made idea. It is the foundation of how God deals with evil. Judgment is not just about punishment. It is about setting things right. The kingdom of God, which was delayed after the fall, is still coming. And...
Read more

Mark 1:1-8 The Promise of the Gospel

The Promise of the Gospel Mark 1:1–8 Introduction: A Long-Awaited Bloom Some flowers take a long time to reveal their beauty. The Queen of the Andes is one such plant. It grows quietly for almost 100 years before blooming only once, releasing thousands of smaller flowers and millions of seeds—then it dies. All those years of waiting finally lead to one moment of stunning fulfillment. This is a lot like the Gospel. From the very beginning, God planted a promise that one day a Savior would come to fix what was broken. Through years of waiting and many reminders, God carefully nurtured that promise. In Mark 1:1–8, we see that promise beginning to bloom. John the Baptist steps onto the scene to prepare the way for Jesus—the long-awaited Savior. The Promise of a Savior “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1) The Gospel isn’t just a story—it’s the fulfillment of a plan God has been unfolding since the very beginning. After Adam and Eve sinned in...
Read more