Mark 10:13–16 (ESV)
Let the Children Come to Me
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, 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. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child
shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
This story is the key to the chapter,
showing us that salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We trust the Lord as a child trusts a parent. We do not earn God’s love and favor by keeping the Law, especially when we look for loopholes to excuse our sinful behavior (cf
10:1–12). All people, like helpless children, receive Jesus’ blessing and enter the Kingdom through faith in Him.
I pray: “You have promised to receive
us, Poor and sinful though we be; You have mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to You. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to You.” Amen.
Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran
Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 1678.