What Jesus Did! 'A Childlike Kind of Faith' — Mark 10:14-15

Friday, July 12, 2024

When Jesus saw [the disciples stopping parents from bringing children to him], he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
— Mark 10:14-15 NLT

Key Thought

We must have childlike faith to be a part of God's Kingdom. The Kingdom requires a "dangerous innocence" of us — a true purity and a genuine humility. Jesus demonstrated these childlike qualities. He wants us to travel along our religious journey as trusting children of God, not necessarily as worldly wise theologically astute scholars. Now don't take me wrong; we are not told to throw away our brains to become Christians. However, we are taught to live in a way that is often upside down to the world and its conventional wisdom. To do so, we need to go back and experience the gift of salvation, the magnificence of God, and the wonders of grace as wide-eyed, excitable children who trust in God's ways, God's love, and God's care.

Today's Prayer

O God, make my heart childlike and my faith fresh and new each day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
  • Galatians 4:4-7
  • 1 Peter 2:1-3

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 10:14-15 NLT — "Let the children come to me."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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