Key Thought

We can never seem to find enough time to do the things we need to do. So who gets left out in the "busy-ness" of life? Children tend to be forgotten, neglected, ignored, put off, or left out when schedules get crunched -- and this is true even in our child-dominated cultures. Even when children are a key part of adult schedules, this time is often centered on their performing or competing against other children. We take such little amounts of time to just be with children and let them just be with us -- nothing to do, to win, or to perform, just be with us. This reality is nothing new. Children often have been left out, pushed to the periphery of life, or simply neglected. Jesus had many important things to do. The disciples just didn't realize children should be viewed as very important. Jesus did. Now so should we!

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

People brought their small children to Jesus, so that Jesus could touch them. But the followers told the people to stop bringing their children to Jesus. Jesus saw what happened. He did not like his followers telling the children not to come. Jesus said to them, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people that are like these little children. I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God like a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it." Then Jesus held the children in his arms. Jesus put his hands on them and blessed them. Jesus started to leave, but a man ran to him and bowed on his knees before Jesus. The man asked, "Good teacher, what must I do to get the life that never ends?" Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? No person is good. Only God is good. {But I will answer your question.} You know the commands: 'You must not murder anyone, you must not do the sin of adultery, you must not steal, you must not lie, you must not cheat, you must honor (respect) your father and mother….' " The man said, "Teacher, I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy." Jesus looked at the man. Jesus felt love for him. Jesus said, "There is still one more thing you need to do. Go and sell everything you have. Give the money to the poor people. You will have a reward in heaven. Then come and follow me." The man was very sorry to hear Jesus say this, and he left. The man was sad because he was very rich {and wanted to keep his money}. Then Jesus looked at his followers and said to them, "It will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!" The followers were amazed at what Jesus said. But Jesus said again, "My children, it is very hard to enter the kingdom of God! And it will be very hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God! It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle!"

— Mark 10:13-25 (ERV)

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