15th June 2021

Wide-eyed and innocent!

 …“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 
Mark 10: 14-15 (NIV)

Slow to learn, the disciples were actively discouraging parents from bringing their little ones to Jesus. They could not understand how much he loved them! ‘Don’t exclude them,’ he says, ‘become like them and learn from them!’

Jesus explains that he wants these children included because they are a perfect example of how to joyfully enter God’s kingdom. As children are totally dependent upon their parents in every area of life, so we, with the same childlike trust, should be dependent on our heavenly Father. These little ones have no hidden agenda as they run to Him, no personal ambition or ulterior motive, just a desire to be close to Him. As they run to Him, Jesus takes them up in His arms, one by one, and blesses them – this is no mass blessing but a personal gleeful act of great joy, perhaps with kisses and laughter! (Mark 10:16). 

With each child the disciples are treated to an example of a warm, lively, and probably giggling illustration of the kind of faith God requires – a faith that is wide-eyed with wonder! Trusting and accepting: a faith that tilts its chin up and in awe looks into the eyes of God.

I know it’s hard to believe it is that simple, but Jesus says it is. We are to run to him with abandon as little children!

Prayer
Our gentle and loving Father, teach us to run to you with arms outstretched. Lift us up in your arms and hold us close, help us become wide-eyed with wonder at the very thought of your love. For such is the kingdom. Amen.

Study by Cliff Neill

About the writer:
Cliff Neill is a Minister in the Hemel Hempstead congregation of Grace Communion International where he is on the leadership team.

Local  congregation:
GCI Hemel Hempstead
Adeyfield Free Church Centre
Maylands Avenue
Hemel Hempstead HP2 4GZ

Meeting time:
Sunday 10:30am

Hemel Hempstead is also on Zoom, please email congregational contact below to get the link

Local congregational contact:
Shirley McLean
Email: hemel@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church