The Kingdom of God belongs to the little children
Luke 18:15-17
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
The disciples rebuked people who were bringing babies to Jesus to bless them (15).
Mark 10:14 shows Jesus was indignant for their rebuke.
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.
See v16 – 17.
First of all, Jesus called the children to him (16a).
Previously, Jesus called 12 disciples who were all adults. Is Jesus only for adults? No, here, Jesus calls children to Him (16a).
Second, Jesus advocated children’s right against the hindrance (16b).
Jesus commanded them to let the little children come to Him and not to hinder them (16b).
Third, Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to the little children (16c).
Forth, Jesus said anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it (17).
How are children better than adults?
- I. A little child is innocent
A little child is innocent while an adult is contaminated.
The adult needs to repent the sin to restore the innocence.
- II. A little child receives the kingdom of God (17)
A little child is humble, obedient and trusts. This appears in the fact that a little child receives the kingdom of God as it is.
“will never enter it” (17) gives serious warning to adults who lack the characteristics of a little child (e.g., innocence, humility, obedience, faith).
