25 Mar 2020
Today's Devotion - Kingdom Of God
“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.”
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. — Luke 18:16-17
In Jesus’ day, receiving a blessing by a rabbi was a big deal. It was customary for rabbis to impart a blessing.
No wonder these parents flocked to Jesus. Receiving his blessing would be a great gift.
The disciples saw these parents crowding around Jesus, and they weren’t too happy. After all, Jesus was way too busy to take time for children!
But Jesus didn’t want his kingdom to be fenced in. As the disciples tried to block the parents and children from him, Jesus called the children toward him with open arms. The Master wanted them near, and he gave them the greatest blessing of all, saying, “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
The disciples needed to learn that, rather than being self-imposed gatekeepers of the kingdom, they were to invite people freely, recognizing that all who come to the Lord with the trusting dependency of a child may receive God’s abundant blessings.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for encouraging me to come to you with childlike faith. I come with open hands, believing and trusting that you are my father. In Jesus name . Amen.