Trustbusters Sermon #2:
Trust and Children
Mark 10:13-16
Series Introduction:
Some people are just waiting to see faith make a difference in the lives of Christ’s followers. They want to see it work. They are not asking too much. As God’s Spirit is allowed to inform and transform it builds trust in those watching. If we live in such a manner as to undermine God’s values and promises it erodes trust.
In Mark 9 Jesus began to show us that discipleship expresses itself through relationships. In chapter 10 that theme is extended into more complex relationships that include elements of society. Mark 9:50 serves as a good transition between the two … it hits the nail on the head. Mk 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Last week we looked at “Trust and Marriage” (Mark 10:1-12).
In coming weeks we will look at
• Trust and Possessions (Mark 10:17-31)
• Trust and Duty (Mark 10:32-45)
• Trust and Opportunity (Mk. 10:46-52)
But this week we will look at Mark 10:13-16.
Mk 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.
Mk 10:14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Mk 10:15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Mk 10:16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
>>Show the SermonSpice video on children<<
May I begin by telling you a story? It should more accurately be referred to as a discovery.
A few years back while at a district Assembly in Baltimore my wife and I were walking down a hallway on our way to an ordination service. I am dressed in my best black suit; all prepared to be part the supportive pastors who lay hands on the ordinands during the prayer time.
As we walked down the back hallway I passed the nurseries. One was for infants and one was for toddlers.
Nurseries never have enough workers.
I paused. I looked at my wife and said, “I’m gonna work the nursery instead of going to the ordination service.” I walked in the toddler nursery door, introduced myself (still in my best black suit), and asked if they needed help. Within moments I was registered and ready to go.
I didn’t know what to do so, still in my best black suit, I walked to the center of the room, looked at all the little guys and gals scooting around, and sat down on the floor. It was remarkable. Like magnets many of them began to gravitate in my direction. Little girls sat on my lap and played with plastic blocks and little boys climbed on me like I was a jungle-gym … for two hours!
Well, when my wife came back to pick me up after the service I was exhausted … and exhilarated! I saw Jesus that night, right there in that floor in my best black suit. I saw him in the eyes and the presence of those little toddlers.
This passage in Mark has been appropriately called the Magna Carta of the children. It gives us clear insight into Jesus’ opinion of children. It shows us God’s (God in Flesh) approach towards children.
Children, like wives, were considered property and without rights. They would have been considered as part of the marginalized … the underprivileged of society. To say they were treated as unimportant would be a gross understatement.
This incident throws a flood light on the character of Jesus … the character of God.
First and foremost, Jesus loved to be around children. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus must have smiled easily and laughed joyously. Children must have been attracted to him.
Children can be a pretty good judge of character. They seem to be able to look into the eyes of an adult and sense reason to fear or reason to be at peace. They seem drawn to people with pure hearts. I watch children as they naturally gravitate to children’s ministry workers. I see children’s pastors with kids flocking to them because of their pure hearts. It’s a beautiful sight!
I can see Jesus smiling with children. I can see Jesus playing with children because he was pure in heart and children could sense it. If you can’t see Jesus doing that then you need a new understanding of Jesus!
This story is beautiful. Did you notice what the parents were wanting? They just wanted Jesus to touch the children and consequently bestow a blessing them. But Jesus wanted more! It tells us that he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
That word blessed means “blessed fervently.” Jesus hugged them and loved them. I’ll bet he even played with them! Jesus’ love for these children was passionate, open, and emotive. That’s how you bless a child.
The disciples did not want Jesus bothered – they could not conceive of a reason why Jesus would entertain children. They thought that Jesus needed protection from bothersome children. But what Jesus points out is that the children needed protection from bumbling adults! To Jesus the children were no effort or burden, they were a delight, a simple and pure joy.
The disciple’s treatment of children shows us another side of Jesus as He defends the children’s cause.
The word indignant does not mean mildly angry. It is a violent word. It is a word that means anger has erupted into hostile action. It is probably intended to stand in contrast to “Blessing fervently” in this story. Both are done with significant passion. Do you remember how Jesus acted when he removed the money changers from the temple? That’s a picture of someone who is indignant. That is what we have here.
Jesus Christ is a champion of children. That which harms children offends God. It offends God to the point of provoking him into hostile action.
• God stands in condemnation of cultures that will kill a child if it is a girl or to stay within a quota.
• God stands in condemnation of cultures that use children for slave labor and barely give them enough food and water to exist while working them 20 hours a day.
• God stands in condemnation of cultures that condone and practice abortion.
• God stands in condemnation to cultures, parents, and systems that neglect and abuse children in any of a myriad of ways.
Jesus seizes the opportunity that exists to teach his disciples (not just those that were there at that time) what characteristics they are supposed to exhibit. In Verses 14 and 15 Jesus says, “… for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
These are interesting words. Scholars have had a field day trying to guess what they might be, but Jesus does not elaborate on what these qualities are; He leaves it up to us to try to discover them.
I want to suggest only one application that can safely be drawn from them though… JESUS WAS CHILD-FRIENDLY … HIS CHURCH SHOULD BE TOO!
1. Our church should be a place where children are safe
2. Our church should be a place where children are welcomed, blessed, and loved
3. Our church should be a place where children can meet with Jesus and come to know Him fully.
I have told you before … if a church is to be about the business of discipleship then there is no better place to start than with our children. They should get the cream of the crop when it comes to ministry and energy.
That is why the primary emphasis of Wednesday nights is on children. There will be no apologies for that. I love to walk through the building and see the adults in the floor teaching and playing with the kids. I get a blessing out of watching Bill Evans bless young boys. He gets right down there in the floor and they take the pencils, pads, and Bibles and study the Word. It is a thrill to watch Tony Molinero and David Gingrich playing games with them.
I am grateful for Nancy and David’s work – sometimes thankless work – with children’s church. God takes note!
If God loves children so much then we should be embodying that in how we interact with them at church. If we are to truly deserve to think of ourselves as family then children must be a central part of what is going on.
I have asked Patrice Cole to come and talk to you about a “Big Brothers and Sisters” type ministry that Helping Hands is developing. I hope God stirs your heart when you hear about it.
WRAP-UP
By watching Jesus we see God’s demeanor and attitude towards children.
If you have a hard time with children, you might have a hard time in God’s Kingdom.
In a few week’s I will be taking a weeks vacation. I will be back on Sunday but I will still be on vacation. We have good services planned with a missionary to speak to you -- but you know where I will be that day? In the toddler nursery setting in the middle of the floor.
He who has ears to hear
Let Him hear.
>>Pastor Ken begins the baby dedications<<
