Title Like a Child/Mark 10:13-16
Contents Like a Child/Mark 10:13-16
1. The relationship between the Gospel of Mark and children is unusual. Among the miracles Jesus performed, the greatest miracle was the raising of the 12-year-old daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue (5:35-43). Among the miracles that Jesus performed, the longest story is the miracle of healing a child possessed by a dumb demon (9:14-29). After revealing that Jesus would suffer in the future, he was going to Jerusalem, but the disciples were having a useless debate about who was the greatest. Then Jesus said, 'Take a little child and set him in the midst of them.' And he says that receiving this little child is the same as receiving Jesus.
1. When the events of the text occurred, Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, and the road was a heavy road that awaited suffering and death. In this situation, children are brought to Jesus in hopes of 'touching' them.
(1) 'touching' means the blessing of Jesus. They brought them here hoping that Jesus would bless them. Jesus blesses these little ones: verse 16, 'He took the little ones and laid his hands on them and blessed them.' It's a thought that any parent of a child would naturally have; There are no parents who do not want their children to do well.
(2) Touching means that Jesus touched the sick and healed the sick. It doesn't make sense for children to be healed by touching them when they aren't sick. However, children may be seen as imperfect and wanting Jesus to touch and make them whole. Children were neglected: You can see how neglected these children were when the disciples scolded people for bringing them in. It is Jesus' great work that these children, who are not socially treated like this, can be properly treated. By touching these children, Jesus makes them into whole human beings.
1. The disciples rebuke those who brought these children probably their parents. At first glance, the disciples' 'rebuke' is understandable, but it is clearly excessive. At the end of verse 13, 'the disciples rebuked' this word refers to severe reproof. People who have brought small children are being rebuked so badly that their faces are blushing because of embarrassment. It is evidence that children were being ignored at the time. Also, the disciples think that they are busy and have important things to do, but dealing with young children is not very important. At the end of Chapter 9, there are stories of people casting out demons in the name of Jesus, and in the beginning of today's text, Jesus is arguing with the Pharisees. After today's text, a 'rich young man' comes to Jesus and asks about eternal life. These important people and important things are piled up like a mountain, and the disciples scold the people who bring their little children with them, 'Are they really mindful?' He would have been beckoning him to go away.
1. Jesus' reaction to the disciples' words and actions was also too far-fetched. Verse 14, 'When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to him,' When the disciples 'rebuke', Jesus 'becomes angry.' It means that the disciples are doing something very wrong. First of all, He says, 'Let little children come to me, and do not forbid them.' The little children should come to Jesus. Little children cannot be made whole unless they come to Jesus. It is unacceptable to forbid children from coming to Jesus. And what is being said is the second half of verse 14, 'The kingdom of God belongs to such ones.'
1. What kind of person is this 'someone like this'? Verse 15, 'I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' There are many characteristics of a child, but the characteristic of a child that Jesus is talking about here is the characteristic of 'receiving the kingdom of God'. What does it mean to 'receive the kingdom of God'? The word 'accepted' originally meant 'accepted'. Accepting the kingdom of God means accepting the rule of God. It refers to absolute obedience to God's commands and God's will. When we have the pure heart of a child, we can accept and obey God's commands as they are. If you have a lot of complicated thoughts and calculations, you will not be able to obey orders. A child cannot do anything on his own, so he depends on his parents to live. In the same way, we ourselves must live our lives completely dependent on God. Little children have no pride. It requires the humility to think of himself as a little child who knows nothing and can do nothing before God and men.
1. 'Take care' does not mean that one wants to rule, it is an attitude of being governed. I have to give up the idea that I should rule over, command, and rule over other people as well as before God.
1. Children are always happy. -- It tells us that such joy is always present in those who follow the kingdom of God and live according to God's will.