Children of God | Mark 10:13-16 By: Krista Vaughn Mark 10:13-16 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. I am not the most relatable when it comes to children. Most of my interactions were through Vacation Bible Schools and Church camps, but my dear niece and nephew will always hold a place in my heart. I have not seen them for 6 years due to family complications, but one thing I have learned from all these children, is that they want to belong. They want to be loved. They want to be accepted. The fact that Jesus brought the attention to children should be significant enough. As it is also mentioned in Matthew 19:14 and Luke 18:15-17, the Kingdom of God belongs to the children as well. The old testament even mentions this: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) Then Matthew 18:2-6 explains the importance of believing in God like a child; eager to seek God, as well as the importance of their innocence and not causing them to stumble.
We should let them teach us.
Jesus focuses on the children, so should we. They are the future generation. They will be leaders for others. We shape them; they shape us. They do belong. They are loved. They are accepted.
Not only should we teach them, but we should let them teach us.
Serve, Not Be Served | Mark 10: 35-45 Pastor Emlen Bailey Mark 10: 35-45 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink your will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the tem heard of it, then began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” For many years, I was a server at multiple restaurants. I made my living by bringing sweet teas, plates of pasta, and extra sides of dressing. For the most part, I enjoyed my job, but there were days that it was a struggle to put on a smiling face and serve people. I wanted to change careers to something that I earning my income by serving people. And then I met Jesus. Jesus taught me something about the position that I was in. It is amazing that James and John had been with Jesus all this time and did not realize that Jesus was not on Earth seeking an Earthly Crown. Jesus went to the sick, the unclean, the unworthy and did all He could to help those. He elevated them and served them! However, James and John only had their eyes on earthly Glory, not the true purpose of Jesus coming.
Jesus came to lay his life down in death for all of us who would accept Him. He did not come to win awards, or make a lot of money, or to beat back the unrighteous. His heart is for everyone to have an encounter and be ushered in to a relationship with God. Moreover, this is what he expected out of His disciples, that same selflessness. He asks them if they are going to be up to challenge of what He was about to face. Of course, they are going to say yes, they don’t want to disappoint Jesus. But, they had no clue what they were saying yes to. They said yes to going to difficult places in order to see the Gospel spread. They said yes to laying down their OWN lives because of opposition to the message. They were saying yes to serving the least of people. I believe that Jesus replied with a chuckle, “You sure will, but you have no idea.”
So what did Jesus teach me as I was waiting tables and getting frustrated at the requests of some of my customers? He taught me that beyond my occupation, it is my calling as a Son of God to serve people. I am called to lay my life down for the least of these. Sometimes that looks like helping someone move on my one day off. Sometimes that looks like having a conversation with someone I don’t know. Sometimes that looks like giving money. I am called to do whatever I can do to serve. Because just like Jesus, we are here not to be served, but to serve!
I am called to lay my life down for the least of these.
Mark 10:17–22 (ESV) 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 1. He had good intentions 2. He was asking the right questions 3. He was doing all the right things 4. He lacked one thing 5. He went away sad.
Surrender is a great idea until it actually costs us something. How often do we treat requirements like requests?
Mark 10:23–28 (ESV) 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”
Mark 10:46–52 (ESV) 46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. Learning from the least Mark 10:31 (ESV) Many who are first will be last, and the last first.
1. Listening is critical.
Listening to Jesus is hearing and heeding.
2. Hunger is everything, so get it right.
3. Everything is a small price to pay What I have isn’t worth keeping if it costs me more than I am lacking!
