Scripture'Jesus said again ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’' (Mark 10.24-25)ReflectionNo wonder that Jesus’s disciples were ‘astounded’ and wondered what chance anyone had if it would be hard for the rich and successful. Of course, Jesus was not condemning the rich because they were rich (or us, if we have more than enough to live on). The point he was trying to drum into his student disciples was about priorities. If our priority in life is wealth creation, then it will be hard to combine that with principles like treating others just as we wish to be treated. ‘Hard’, note, Jesus does not say ‘ impossible’. The same applies to any other goal which might cause us to neglect the needs of others. David Harmsworth
Scripture13 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. (Mark 10.13-16)ReflectionWhy were people bringing their children to Jesus? More likely than not, they were brought to him to say goodnight and so that he could bless them. Maybe they were the children of the house where Jesus and his disciples were staying? The disciples probably felt that this was taking up Jesus’ precious time, but this made Jesus angry! The children clearly mattered to him.He is using the little child as an example of those who possess no earthly power, are free of the trappings of material wealth and influential friends. This is how we must become: trusting and open to receive God’s blessing. Yesterday, as we were singing the last hymn, ‘Tell out my soul’, a little girl was dancing! She was participating with her whole being in our worship. This is the spirit in which Jesus wants us to become like little children, giving ourselves wholly over to God. When we do so, His Kingdom breaks in. Let this week be one for you, when you have at least one moment where you give yourself fully over to God, just like a little child!Revd Ylva Blid-Mackenzie
