“Oh, you look so serious!” I said to my ten-week-old granddaughter Leilani. She was studying my face with a knitted brow as I talked to her. “I’d be serious too,” I continued, “looking at this world. But you know what? Mama loves you, Daddy loves you, and Baba and Papa [our nicknames as grandparents] love you too. But best of all, Jesus loves you! And that means everything!”
Then it happened. Like a cloud letting the sun through, the furrow left her brow and her little face lit up with a smile that melted my heart. Like most grandparents, I’d like to believe she understood me, though that may be a stretch. But perhaps she caught some of the joy behind my words. The simple, innocent joy that shone on her face brought to mind Jesus’ words that we must “receive the kingdom of God like a little child” (Mark 10:15).
Jesus said those words as “people were bringing little children” to Him so He might “place his hands on them” and bless them (vv. 13, 16). But “the disciples rebuked them,” thinking Jesus too busy or important. That troubled Him (vv. 14-15).
Children are naturally humble and dependent. To receive God’s kindness to us in Christ, we too must turn from pride and admit our need for Him in everything. As we do, He exchanges this world’s hopelessness with the promise of life with God forever. And that should make us smile.
In what ways do you need God? How can you declare your dependence on Him today?
Abba Father, please help me to humbly live in Your kindness today and also share it with others.
Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.
In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus seized the moment to teach a very crucial lesson about how things function in the sphere of heavenly rule and order. “Let the little children come to me,” He said, “and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (v. 14). Christ’s illustration and teaching are consistent with the principle stated in the first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Bible teacher Kent Hughes offers these words: “What Jesus has in mind here is an objective state that every child who has ever lived, regardless of race, culture, or background, has experienced—helpless dependence. . . . Children of the kingdom enter it helpless, ones for whom everything must be done.” Those who are impoverished in spirit are those who are needy and know it. When we acknowledge our dependence on God, we come to Him with open hands and heart.
