Infant First, Then Child

But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14

Good morning! It is just about to turn Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand as I write this. But I'm firmly at the start of Friday here in our little town in northeast Colorado. In the scriptural today, we come to a moment where His disciples did a thing that greatly displeased their rabbi, our Lord Jesus. And then Jesus says of little children, "for of such is the kingdom of God." Uh, oh, I'm way past the little child stage of life, does that mean that I am disqualified? I like my little tractor toys, does second childhood count? Oh, and the next verse makes it even worse, as only those who receive the kingdom of God as a little child will enter it. Oh, dear! So, if I wasn't saved way back then, I'm doomed?

In John 3, Jesus offers us a clue through His talk with Nicodemus. That famous teacher-baffling line comes, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” So, just to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again, and then to enter it one becomes a little child. That makes more sense as a little child comes right after a newborn infant. Therefore, Jesus has not introduced something new, but a continuation of His lesson to Nicodemus. We must be born again of the Spirit of Truth (see John 16), and then grow in the love and grace of Jesus Christ to enter into the kingdom of God.

Love and joy to you in Christ our Lord,

Bucky