Receive the Kingdom of God Like a Little Child (Mark 10:13-31)

 

Receive the Kingdom of God Like a Little Child (Mark 10:13-31)

God gives to those who ask. The reason we ask is because we are in need. From the very breath we take, a person lives only by the grace of God. Thinking that we can do things on our own is an illusion. God did not create man that way. God created us in a relationship of union where He dwells in us, and we dwell in Him.

In Mark 10:13-31, Jesus blessed the little children and said that unless one receives the kingdom of God like a little child, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. He taught a rich young man the way to inherit eternal life and enlightened his disciples on how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. However, there is no one who deny themselves and follow Jesus who will not receive a hundred times as much in this present age and, in the age to come, eternal life.

The Little Children and Jesus (Mark 10:13-16; cf. Matt 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17)

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 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. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)

A Little Child Totally Relies on Parents

In what way does the kingdom of heaven belong to a little child? What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a little child? A little child cannot survive without the protection of its parents. Therefore, a little child relies on its parents for everything. From eating, dressing, to sleeping, a little child cannot do anything on its own. A little child accepts this fact without any doubt.

The proof of this can be seen immediately by looking at a little child. They constantly ask and inquire of their parents. This is because they cannot do anything by themselves. Parents continue to respond to and fulfill the requests of the little child. Parents do not refuse any toil for the sake of the child's needs. If the child is in danger, they protect the child at the cost of their own life.

We are like little children before God. From birth to death, there is nothing a person can do on their own. From breathing to the ability to sustain life, it depends entirely on the hands of God. Not only physical needs but spiritual needs are even more so. He sends sunlight and rain to maintain the body, and He shines the light with the Spirit of truth. Our Lord Jesus, when he saw the crowds, had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36).

Therefore, Jesus promised his disciples who follow him that if they ask anything in his name, he will do it (John 14:14). Also, Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). God the Father gives good gifts to those who ask him (Matthew 7:9).

What is the evidence of this? God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32).

A Little Child Does Not Worry

Furthermore, a little child does not worry. This is because they trust their parents completely. They just need to ask for what they need and inquire about what they are curious about. Since all needs are met, there is no need to worry about anything. However, adults are experts at worrying. Among all the people in a boat during a great storm who were trembling with fear, there was one little child who was not scared at all. The child said he was not afraid at all because his father was the captain.

The phrase "do not fear" appears 365 times in the Bible. God commanded Joshua, who was about to face the war of conquering Canaan, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged," but instead, "Be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:6-9). Because this war belonged to God, Joshua had nothing to worry about (2 Chronicles 20:15). God commanded him only to be careful to obey all the Law, not turning from it to the right or to the left.

Jesus asked his disciples, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” and commanded them not to worry about what they will eat or what they will drink or what they will wear (Matthew 6:27, 31). These are the things the pagans run after, and the heavenly Father knows that they need all these things (Matthew 6:32).

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33-34).

What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy” (Mark 10:17-20).

A rich young man came to Jesus and asked. He was moved by the sight of Jesus blessing the little children, so he took courage and came to ask like a little child. He called Jesus a good teacher. To this, Jesus said that no one is good except God alone. Jesus identified himself as God. Therefore, the young man was now standing before the Creator God and having a conversation with Him.

Jesus first told him to keep the commandments of God. The way to obtain eternal life is to obey the word of God. The commands from the fifth to the tenth commandments concern relationships with parents and neighbors. In a word, this is the command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).

However, surprisingly, the young man replied that he had kept all these since he was a boy. He grew up receiving Torah education in a Jewish home. He took the law of Moses seriously, observed the Sabbath and festivals, and went to the temple to offer gifts before God. He sincerely loved and obeyed the commandments of God.

One Thing You Lack

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10:21-22).

Jesus looked at him and loved him. He considered the man’s answer that he had kept and obeyed all of God’s commandments to be sincere. Some people think that this young man might be Mark, who wrote the Gospel of Mark. The reason is that the record that Jesus looked at him and loved him appears only in the Gospel of Mark, so they see it as coming from someone who was at the scene (Matthew 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30).

However, the young man did not obtain eternal life even though he had kept and obeyed all of God’s commandments since he was young. What is the problem? Eternal life is not obtained by doing something; it is a heavenly gift given by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son whom God sent (John 3:16).

Therefore, Jesus told him that there was one thing he lacked, saying, "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." And He commanded him to come and follow the Lord. This is the example that the Lord Jesus Christ personally showed. Jesus gave up taking equality with God and came to this earth in the form of a human, in the likeness of a servant.

And Jesus gave His life as a Passover sacrifice to save this world from the chains of sin. After selling everything He had, offering Himself as a sacrifice to God, He gave eternal life to everyone who believes in Him (Matthew 13:44-46). Jesus commanded anyone who would follow Him to deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him (Mark 8:34). This is the same word given to that young man.

Then, because the young man had great wealth, he went away sad and troubled because of the Lord's words. It shows that wealth can never grant eternal life, but rather breeds sorrow. It is ironic that he was not joyful because he had much wealth, but was instead sorrowful. Not only wealth, but if you rely on anything in this world, you cannot follow Jesus Christ.

It Is Very Difficult For Those Who Have Wealth To Enter The Kingdom Of God

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:23-27)

The disciples wondered, if it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, who can be saved? The disciples were also poor at the time, but they had a desire to become rich in the future. There is no one who does not. The reason it is difficult for the rich is that they rely on wealth and the world rather than God. Wealth is a kind of power. Therefore, they are surrounded by people who fawn over them. Naturally, it is easy to fall into the illusion that they can do anything.

However, the grace of God can do what man cannot. Nicodemus, as a member of the Sanhedrin, had wealth and status, but he came to Jesus and received the grace of salvation (John 3:1-2). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob became very wealthy, but they relied on and believed in the promised word of God (Genesis 13:2, 26:13, 30:43). Jacob, in the desperation of being unable to rely on his many riches and family at the Jabbok River, wrestled with an angel all night (Genesis 32:22-32). God struck his hip, and He called Jacob Israel (Genesis 35:10).

We Have Left Everything To Follow You

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:28-31)

God raised Jesus Christ, who obeyed even to the point of death, from among the dead and made Him King of kings and Lord of lords. Likewise, God blesses with heavenly glory those who give up themselves for the Lord. The heroes of faith who appear in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 received the treasures of the Word and also received persecution (Hebrews 11:37-39). On this earth, they did not receive what was promised, that is, the heavenly city, but they held fast to that hope through faith (Hebrews 11:39).

Receiving a hundred times more in the present age does not mean material things or living in luxury without any hardship. Such a life does not actually exist. Even while experiencing pressure, stress, difficulties, and pain, enjoying the love, joy, and peace of God that comes down from heaven is a blessing of more than a hundred times. In Christ, we enjoy the grace of reigning over life with the Lord.

However, as the proverb goes, "You must measure to know whether it is long or short," we must not forget the fact that the race of faith takes a lifetime. In Aesop's fable, there is the race between the tortoise and the hare. Even though it may look slow and sluggish now, what is important is to grow steadily without stopping. What is visible to the eye at present is not everything. Our ancestors looked forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God, and finished the race of faith.

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)

Amen!

June 21, 2026

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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.