Dear class,
Today's readings are taken from
Luke 18:9-14;Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17; Matthew 19:16- 20:16; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30
Among the lessons taught, in these passages, let us look briefly at the idea of being as "little children".
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mar 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Luk 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Luk 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
So what did Jesus mean by little children? Jesus was presented with a situation and the master teacher he was, he taught truth from it. Thus there is a 2 fold meaning to this incident which becomes evident when we examine the passages in parallel.
Firstly, at face value, little children which are not yet of an accountable age are obviously accepted into the Kingdom, since no sin separates them from God.
Yet on a deeper level, which is really what Jesus intended to teach, is the purity of heart of Kingdom seekers. Notice both Mark and Luke recorded an extra statement that Jesus made "...received the kingdom of God AS a little child" (emphasis mine). This clearly referred to the attitude of an individual rather than his age! If age was meant, then all the apostles and many others would have been disqualified! And obviously, if one could "receive" or make the decision to receive, one would have been at an accountable age.
Let us continue to adopt a child-like disposition of humility and purity that has put us into His Body through Christ, even as we mature physically and spiritually, that we may one day enter into that permanent rest in heaven's abode.
The Lord bless our day ahead.
in Him
Paul
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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13,14
