June 7, 2010

CHILDLIKE FAITH

Mark 10:13-31

Lindsey Dennis
Monday's Devo

June 7, 2010

Monday's Devo

June 7, 2010

Central Truth

Just accept that God loves you!

Key Verse | Mark 10:15–16

"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. (Mark 10:15-16)

Mark 10:13-31

Let the Children Come to Me

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

The Rich Young Man

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is 1 10:24 Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, 2 10:26 Some manuscripts to one another “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Footnotes

[1] 10:24 Some manuscripts add for those who trust in riches
[2] 10:26 Some manuscripts to one another

Dive Deeper | Mark 10:13-31

This passage had many great verses, but verses 15 and 16 stopped me when I read about the people bringing their children to Jesus just so He could touch them.

I grew up in a Christian home and went to church every Sunday. As a child, I knew all about Jesus dying for my sins on the cross. Children have SIMPLE faith. They know when someone loves them or when someone is upset with them. They trust easily and with all of their hearts. Children don't have to see things to believe in them. If they believe, they trust.

Sometimes I find myself forgetting the childlike faith I once had. I overthink situations and pick them apart, piece by piece. When I have doubts about my faith, I'll rethink it over and over again, but I'll end up tearing it apart so much in my mind that it will barely make sense anymore. At that point, I just have to stop myself and ask the simple question, "Do I believe God sent His Son to die for me?" And that reassures me immediately.

Jesus told His disciples that any who do not receive God like a child will never enter His kingdom. We must, must, must understand and trust that GOD LOVES US. I forget this basic truth so often, but I realize I just need to believe with all my heart that Jesus is my Savior. I should run up to Him like a child does to his loved ones. It takes just that for Him to be in your heart. Many times I find myself asking God to show me something, but I come back and realize that seeing is not believing. It is all about whether I am willing to truly put my life in God's hands.

Discussion Questions

1. How can you allow God to be a daily part of your life?

2. What areas in your life do you need to give up to God?

3. Do you really accept that God loves you?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What did the man ask Jesus in verse 17? What was Jesus’ response in verse 21? (Focus on the one thing that Jesus said he was lacking, following Him.)

2. In verse 22, why was the man sad? 

3. Is there anything in your life that keeps you from following Jesus with your whole heart?