April 19th, 2026: Gift and Model | Mark 9:36-37, 42 Mark 10:13-16

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:31-34)

Can you remember when all you wanted to do in the world was grow up?  To do the things that you wanted to do without being told why you couldn’t?  There was an illusion that being a grown up would some how solve all the annoying problems of an impatient youth and the agony of teen angst.  

In our lesson today, Jesus is instructing those around Him to recognize not only the relationship of God to man, but of the relationship we have with other believers. We are to put away childish things but maintain a child-like faith and a heart of charity. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.(1 Corinthians 13: 11-13).

 As your study ask yourself, where are you in your relationship with your Father in Heaven and where are you in relationship to fellow believers? Are you spiritually, a child, a rebellious teenager, or a burdened down adult?  If you are honest, it may surprise you! 

Mark 9: 36-37, 42

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. 

Just prior to these verses Mark had written about the disciples not being able to cast out a demon, and Jesus telling about his upcoming death and resurrection.  This was a lot of information in a little bit of time. If they had been honest, they would have admitted that they didn’t completely understand much of it and really didn’t like hearing some of it.  And to make things worse, the group had been discussing which of them would be the greatest or have the greatest authority in the kingdom that Jesus was setting up.  Jesus stops for a lesson.  

Taking a child and sitting down Jesus begins to teach. Jesus is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  He will be the servant to all and is the King of everything. What they don’t completely understand at this time, is not as important as what they will need to understand for the future. They are still children.  There is much to learn. Jesus visually shows them the importance of accepting those that receive  Him.  These are the children of God. In doing so, they will be pleasing to and accepting of God the Father. 

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

There is a great penalty for offending those that have accepted Jesus. As this passage illustrates, there are dire consequences.  So, not only is it important to accept Jesus ourselves with a child-like faith, it is just as important not to discourage or offend other children of God. These words will be of additional significance after the resurrection as both Jews and Gentiles come to faith in Christ. For the disciples their spiritual adulthood is much more than just what they can do, or which of them is the greatest.  It will be all about bringing in and accepting the undesirable, the gentiles, and the penitent Jews into Jesus’ kingdom.

Mark 10:13-16

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Now let’s make this a little more personal.  Are you bringing your young children to Jesus?  In this passage, Mark is using words that indicate the people wanted Jesus to touch, bless, or as we might say today, to dedicate their children.  As a parent or relative, they wanted their children to see Jesus. The disciples preferred that they not cumber Jesus with children, but Jesus said to let them come, and not to stop them. 

As a parent, it is fully your responsibility to teach your children not only how to live in this world but also how to live in the next.  Sadly, many leave the spiritual teaching up to the Sunday School teacher or the Minister.  That is not enough.  Children will see what is modeled in their home.  They will hear the conversations good and bad.  Are you welcoming/encouraging your children into the presence of Jesus or are you hindering them?  Worse yet, are you doing nothing at all?  You cannot teach what you do not know.  You may be very socially acceptable, financially independent but are you spiritually anything?  Do you have the relationship with Jesus that will allow you to lead your family, your children to the truth?  

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Jesus goes on to say what may seem obvious to those present.  It will take a childlike heart of trust, to receive salvation.  These children do not run from Jesus because He is God and they are afraid.  The run to and crowd all around Him because He is good and welcoming.  Jesus doesn’t push them away because He is overwhelmed by their presence.  He picks them up.  He reaches out to touch them.  He blesses them. No matter where you are, what you’ve done, how miserable you are, or even if you don’t know or don’t have the personal relationship with God, run toward Him.  Don’t run away from Him.  He will not push you away, he will not be frustrated because you showed up, He will reach out for you, changing your life forever!

The training and restrictions of youth, taught us the principles for surviving our adulthood. Some spiritual lessons of youth became distorted or someone in the church failed to measure up.  The spiritual lessons can be just as restricting as the life lessons were. You may have not wanted to be told what to do or even worse you didn’t want to know what the Bible said.  After all, we have been taught by secular society that the Bible is not what everyone thinks that it is.  The truth is, the Bible is exactly what it says it is. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.(2 Timothy 3: 15-17).  Maybe it is time to read it again. 

The older we get, the more we wish for the simpler days of our youth.  We reminisce about “the old” days.  We are a complex  and fickle people!  How silly we are as humans!  In our youth, the only thought was our freedom from restrictions.  It never occurred to us that the things we were so anxious to jump into included a multitude of greater woes that came  from along with “Adulthood!”   There were simply things we did not know or understand at the time, yet in our youthful ignorance, we thought we knew all that was needed to know.

If you have lost your way spiritually, get back to the basics. Find a Bible believing church, read your Bible, reach out to God.  Prepare yourself and  model for your children the eternal future. 

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!