Jesus with the Children

Mark 10:13 (NET) Now people were bringing little children to him for him to touch, but the disciples scolded those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 After he took the children in his arms, he placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Pastor Jesus

Here is one of the many times we see the heart of Jesus. He was indignant that the disciples did not understand his desire to bless the children. In the original language, the word for indignant goes back to a word referring to the bend in the arm. We could say, “Jesus was bent out of shape at the disciples.” He was frustrated because of their failure to understand his desire to bless the children.

He took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

The Many Faces of Jesus

In this passage we see the pastoral heart of Jesus. He had a desire to care for the children. He had a desire to care for the sick. He had a desire to care for the outcast. He had a desire to care for the hungry.

He was also a prophet, speaking truth, sometimes harshly, to the Pharisees. He was a teacher, especially to his closest followers. He was a healer, touching those who were sick and afflicted.

He was the fulfillment of every spiritual gift.

To Enter the Kingdom of God, You Must Enter as a Child

These children had a complete trust in Jesus. Something about him attracted vulnerable people. Whether children, sick people, outcasts or demon possessed, they were attracted to Jesus. They understood they could trust him.

Even animals understood they could approach him. In Mark 1:12-13, right after he was baptized, we see, “The Spirit immediately drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, enduring temptations from Satan. He was with wild animals . . .”

To enter the Kingdom of God, we must trust Jesus as the little children trusted him.