The Partner Trap (Mark 10:1-16)

Often when we read the passage in which Jesus receives little children, we tend to focus on the children themselves. And rightfully so, I think. Christ’s main point was that little children provide a wonderful picture of faith which we should seek to emulate. But in order to understand the childlikeness, we also need to notice the action of the parents in verse 13. It says, “and they were bringing children to him that he might touch them.”

And so, when Jesus says that we must “receive the kingdom of God like a child”, this verse is extremely important context! How did these children come the Jesus? First, they were brought. They didn’t say, as far as we know, “Hey mom, dad, take me to Jesus!” Childlike faith is first of all a gift. Second, they were brought that Jesus might touch them.They took nothing to give, but only receiving. Childlike faith recognizes that it cannot add anything to the grace of Jesus Christ. It recognizes that what He offers cannot be earned, but must be received.

We are all to be as little children, receiving from Christ’s hand only because He first loved us, and receiving because He has shown His goodness to us. In eating this, we recognize the work of Christ on our behalf, and we communicate back to God that we belong to Christ.

In our practice, we have the privilege also of bringing our children to the Table of the Lord. We bring them, not because they’ve figured out all the intricate reasons why they should and have convinced us to let them. We bring them because we trust in Christ’s promise to them, and we believe that to such belongs the kingdom of God.

I’ve encouraged us before to look at one another and see in one another the Body of Christ. And today I would add to that the reminder to look at the children as well. Behold their faith. And may we all become more fully reliant on the grace of Christ.

Word of Commission:

In our Heidelberg Catechism, question 109 asks: “Does God forbid in this commandment, only adultery, and such like gross sins?” Answer: “Since both our body and soul are temples of the holy Ghost ... he forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever can entice men thereto.” As we’ve seen, God has ordained that marriage is contrary to adultery. Marriage is a beautiful calling of God for mutual support, spiritual growth, Godly offspring, the support of the Church, among other things.

But whether you are married or not, you are part of the Bride of Christ. As God forbids human adultery, He likewise forbids spiritual adultery. We may not run after other gods, other desires ... anything contrary to His commands. Christ desires a pure bride, a faithful bride, a beautiful bride. Let us then, as the Church, and as we go into the world, adorn the institution of marriage. Both in our human marriages, and in our participation in that greatest marriage which all others image.