Today we are reading from Mark 10: 13-16:

13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

I always think of the words of a mentor, anytime something is mentioned in scripture more than once, that’s God’s way of saying, pay attention!  This is important!  How many times in Mark have we seen Jesus way we must be like children?  Remember a few sections back when the disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest?  He showed them a child and said that this is the way.  

Well, once again, we see Jesus tell them, if you want to know the Kingdom of God, you must be like these children.

The Kingdom of God is not about earthly power or wealth.  It is not about getting what you want.  It is not about ruling over others.  It is not about greatness. 

It is about humility.  It is about powerlessness.  It is about realizing that without God, we can do nothing.  Greatness in God’s kingdom is not about us taking up our strength and might or seeking our pace. 

It is about laying it down. It is not about what we take up, it is about what we lay down.  

Greatness in God’s Kingdom is about laying it down. Laying down our lives, our rights, everything, laying down our lives before the cross of Christ.  

It is not about our greatness and power. It is about His greatness and His power. 

We lay it down before Christ.  That is our path into the Kingdom.  

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