Mark 10:13-16 - Anger at Children Being Ignored

"13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, 'Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.' 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.”  (Mark 10:13–16, New Living Translation)

This is not the only time in the Gospels that Jesus showed His love and compassion for children--a whole group of people who are generally overlooked and easily dismissed. Even Jesus' own disciples thought that children were a "bother." Consequently, Jesus was angry with those same disciples, reminding them that children set the example of "receiving the Kingdom of God."

How does one "receive the Kingdom of God?" Accept the rule of the King. While the parents were the ones bringing the children to Jesus, the children were the ones who didn't shy away from Jesus blessing them. They accepted the King for who He was, and would continue to do so even on Palm Sunday when the Pharisees wanted to silence their praise for Jesus in the temple. (Matthew 21:15-16)

Make me angry, Father--not just when children are abused, but whenever they are treated as somehow less important than adults. Teach me from their example to joyfully receive Your rule as King in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.