What Jesus Did! 'A Childlike Kind of Faith' — Mark 10:14-15

Friday, July 12, 2024

When Jesus saw [the disciples stopping parents from bringing children to him], he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
— Mark 10:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

We must have childlike faith to be a part of God's Kingdom. The Kingdom requires a "dangerous innocence" of us - a true purity and a genuine humility. Jesus demonstrated these childlike qualities. He wants us to travel along our religious journey as trusting children of God, not necessarily as worldly wise theologically astute scholars. Now don't take me wrong; we are not told to throw away our brains to become Christians. However, we are taught to live in a way that is often upside down to the world and its conventional wisdom. To do so, we need to go back and experience the gift of salvation, the magnificence of God, and the wonders of grace as wide-eyed, excitable children who trust in God's ways, God's love, and God's care.

Today's Prayer

O God, make my heart childlike and my faith fresh and new each day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
  • Galatians 4:4-7
  • 1 Peter 2:1-3

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15 Related Resources by Heartlight

Let the Children Come to Me!
Illustration of Mark 10:14
Mark 10:14 - Let the children come to me! People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God.
Tortured!
Article by Phillip Morrison
Not what any of us wants in our obituary! Phillip Morrison writes about a serious situation that was brought to light by an obituary -- child abuse -- and Phil Ware offers some helpful suggestions on ways to bring redemption out of the hurt of this world.
His Little Ones!
Article by Phil Ware
What child have you touched with Jesus' grace lately? Children are a blessing, a gift, and a responsibility: how we treat the least and most insignificant says a lot of how we would treat Jesus.
Playing the Fool?
Article by Jeff Lee
Just how important are children to Jesus? We can do some pretty stupid things when it comes to kids!
See All 15 Related Resources about Mark 10:14-15

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 10:14-15 NLT — "Let the children come to me."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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