Five Points Blog
What Touches Our Lord’s Heart?
- Brent Nelson
- Feb 17, 2012
How fitting, on the heals of a high statement of marriage, that Jesus would immediately welcome children into His kingdom with the blessing of his touch. So zealous is our Lord to receive children that he grows indignant when anyone hinders children from coming to him.
When the disciples rebuked parents from bringing their children to Jesus, Jesus saw it and “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” (Mark 10:14). Can you imagine the tone of displeasure in our Lord’s voice as he uttered these words? We have touched something close to his divine heart when we minister to children.
It isn’t that he simply loves the young. We’re not talking about a special fondness for those who have not grown up yet. The reason Christ is so eager to welcome children is given in the last phrase of verse 14, “for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” His passions are kingdom aimed. He loves children because they represent the God-dependent helplessness we all must confess to enter the Kingdom. God has no self-sufficient ‘adult’ citizens in His Kingdom. He admits only children.
What would our Lord have children do? Jesus answers: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Receive the kingdom like a child. Confess your helplessness to save yourself. Agree with Christ that we must come to him, humbly, truthfully and in all weakness. He will full and sweetly catch you up in His arms and bless you with His love. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1 ESV).