A Common Theme?

Sandwiched in between two stories of people questioning Jesus is 3 verses about children coming to Jesus. It almost seems random.

But closer examination of the passage actually seems to make sense. Look at vv. 13-16. Kids come to Jesus, the disciples get angry.

Why would the disciples get mad?

Because children aren't important. Especially in the Jewish world. Children had no status at all. They contributed nothing to the community, and as a result, weren't really even considered people yet.

So when children start coming to Jesus and taking up his time, the disciples get angry because Jesus has more important people to talk to.

Look at his previous questioners: The Pharisees. Asking questions about divorce. Look at the next questioner: A rich young ruler.

Both of these have something to show off.

The Pharisees are trying to trick Jesus with their "superior" intellect. The rich young ruler is trying to show off his righteousness in keeping the commandment. Nestled in the middle of these, Jesus makes the comment that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children.

This has been said to mean to those with innocence and naivete, but in the larger context, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Maybe the point of this is to show that the Kingdom of God is inherited by those who have nothing to bring to the table. Those who know they are dependent on those stronger than them. As long as we think we have something that we bring to the table, we can never comprehend (and as a direct result, receive) the true kingdom of God, which has literally NOTHING to do with anything we think we know or that we think we do correctly.

It's all a part of those backwards teachings of Jesus.

The last will be first, after all. Those who are deemed unimportant will be the ones that receive the only thing that does matter: The Kingdom of God.

But only when we realize we can't do it ourselves. Only when we rely on God to do it for us, and know that we have nothing to do with it.

Created over 3 years ago