Back in Jesus’ ministry on earth days, children were one of the people who loved Him genuinely from a pure heart. They weren’t like the adults, who thought they were intelligent enough to judge Jesus’ miracles – whether they were from God or the devil. These children were just fascinated about Jesus, so much so that the Bible says people brought their young children to Jesus to receive a touch from Him (see Mark 10:13). From this, if you’re a minister and children don’t love coming around you, your anointing is questionable.
While Jesus was glad to receive those children, the twelve disciples were busily rebuking their parents. I have always wondered why they did that. Perhaps, they thought Jesus was a highly-profile anointed guy who only received visitors from people of high influence, not small kids. But Philippians 2:5-7 revealed that Jesus, although fully God, humbled Himself even to the point of the cross. So Jesus rebuked the disciples and ordered the children to come to Him. And there and then goes His famous statement of truth about God’s kingdom reception. Let’s read Mark 10:15 (NKJV).
“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
What does this mean? Or let me say it in vividly. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a little child? Does it mean because of the word “as,” only children are entitled to receiving God’s kingdom? Certainly not!
Children are receivers without being analytical
Tell a child that you will surprise him with a toffee, and he’ll not think about how much you’ll spend to get it for him. When a child wants you to carry him, he isn’t analytical of how much strength you’ll need to do that. He just knows that you’ll do it very well for his happiness.
Therefore, for Jesus to say that to receive God’s kingdom in order to enter therein, you’ve got to do it as a child, it means that He (Jesus) doesn’t want anybody to get saved with preconceived thoughts of how one’s life will be transformed. That is why preaching to people that Jesus would give them a more comfortable life when they are born again is a dangerous doctrine. Why? Because receivers of such gospel will be born again thinking God is about to miraculously turn their lives around in minutes without any inner transformation.
Receive God’s kingdom ‘as’ a child
The NIV, which is more of a contemporary English, doesn’t use the word “as” in Mark 10:15. It says,
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Mark 10:15 NIV (boldface mine)
It uses the word “like” instead of “as.” That is a clearer interpretation. You don’t physically need to be a little boy or girl to receive the gift of the kingdom of God through salvation. You only have to be as humble as Christ Jesus.
Dear friend, accept the reality that you need God. And because of that, remove any form of pride in your heart to receive the gospel.
