“Jesus longs to bless you, but he does not force his blessing upon you.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 4, 2025
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “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.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16, NIV
In Mark 10, we encounter one of the most famous scenes from the life of Christ: the blessing of children coupled with his famous words, “Let the little children come to me.” Many things could (and have been) said about this beautiful passage. We could focus on the countless virtues of childhood that prepare us to enter the kingdom of God: innocence, humility, trust, kindness, and wonder. Yet today, I invite us to prayerfully ponder one single aspect of this story, and that is a child’s willingness to be embraced and blessed by the Lord Jesus.
The older we get, the more calloused we can become. The wear and tear of life takes its toll, both physically and emotionally. We’ve endured health scares and prolonged illnesses, we’ve lost beloved friends and family members, and we’ve wounded and been wounded by others as the sickness of sin wreaks havoc on our relationships and closest friendships. As such, vulnerability becomes a difficult posture that requires us to overcome our suspicions and negative dispositions toward it.
In the face of this temptation and natural drift toward a hardened way of life, our Lord Jesus extends his arms of mercy and love, inviting us to come to him with the vulnerability of a child. We must daily seek to shed our hardened exoskeleton and live in such a way as to be able to receive the touch and blessing of the Lord. Jesus took the little children into his arms, yes, but he did not force them against their will. No, children sense the trustworthiness of someone and are drawn to them, happily receiving the love and embrace they offer with purity of heart. Can you and I do the same?
Jesus longs to bless you, but he does not force his blessing upon you. He looks upon you with love and tender compassion, yet his posture is always invitational. His arms are open wide, yet you and I must move toward him with hearts that are filled with childlike love and pure longing. Though it may go against everything we are inclined to do and feel, this childlike trust and openness to his touch is the only way we will learn to be his disciples.
Prayer
Father, free us from the hardness of heart that threatens to shut us down and steal our joy. Instead, give us a childlike vulnerability that longs to encounter your healing touch, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
In what ways can you move toward the Lord Jesus today like a little child?
Related Reading
Psalm 8:2; Matthew 19:13-15; 1 Peter 2:2-3
Worship Resource
Jon Guerra: How Long
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