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.”

           I must admit I have a soft spot somewhere in my heart for children. It is a spot that has grown softer as I have moved into that phase of life known as grandparenthood. Their innocence. Their honesty. Their innocent honesty. Their way of humbling us.

           I was doing a children’s sermon once. (Three of you sitting here have heard this story, so bear with me.) It was a while ago. My son, who is now a pastor, was around five at the time. The sermon involved a couple of props. I began with some salt. Each child was given a taste of salt. A little bit was put into each tiny palm, and they licked the salt.

           They were asked how they felt after tasting the salt. Now, there is a general rule of thumb in children’s sermons. It is learned in children’s sermons 101. And that rule is it is wise to avoid asking questions. It is better to suggest answers. You never know what a child will say when asked a question. So I played loose with the rule by asking that particular question. But I got away with it. See, the children gave me the answer I was looking for. They said the salt made them thirsty.

           I breathed a sigh of relief and produced prop number two. A pitcher of water. I gave each child a small drink of water. This time I did not ask a question. I suggested the answer. After they all drank, I said, “Now the water has taken away your thirst, hasn’t it?” As I was asking the question I was nodding my head. So by the time I was finished, they were all nodding in agreement.

           I then went on to make the point. Jesus said we Christians are the salt of the earth. That means many things. But one of the things we can do as the salt of the earth is we can make people thirsty for Jesus. Jesus gives us the water of life. So people go to Jesus, and they find satisfaction. Amen. I thought I had hit a home run with that one. A good little message for the kids. We closed in prayer. It was a prayer in which I prayed that God would help us be salt and lead others to Jesus. After the prayer, I dismissed the children to return to their seats.

           My five-year-old son started down the aisle. And on his way back to his seat he blurted out these words for all the congregation to hear—he said, “Now isn’t that just about the dumbest thing you ever heard in your life.”

           I love children. Their innocence. Their honesty. Their innocent honesty. Their way of keeping us humble.

           Talk about children humbling us—on more than one occasion Jesus used children to teach adults about the kingdom of God. Jesus invited adults to become like children. And on this Cradle Rocking day I thought it might be a good time to consider one of those teachings.

           During our Wednesday evening Bible study, we have been looking at the gospel of Mark. One of the things we have discovered is the kingdom of God was central to the preaching and teaching of Jesus. His first sermon began with the words, “The time has come. the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Jesus’ three-year ministry was a demonstration of what life in that kingdom would be like. And he gave, and still gives, the invitation to leave behind the kingdom of this world and become a part of God’s kingdom.

           The kingdom came near in Christ. And I think we should note that Jesus—equal with God—came into this world how? Humble and as a child.

           So there was an occasion when the disciples were arguing as to whom would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. At the time of their arguing, they had yet to come to a full understanding of that kingdom. They asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Another of the gospels has Jesus asking them what they were arguing about. In response to this concern about greatness, Jesus put a child in their midst. He told his disciples that unless they changed and became like little children, they would never enter the kingdom. He concluded with, “Therefore, whoever humbles himself or herself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of God.”

           In today’s reading, people were bringing little children to Jesus. The disciples rebuked them. Children were on the lower rungs of the social status ladder. Jesus became indignant. He told his disciples not to hinder the children. Let them come. The kingdom of God belonged to little children. Then he said that anyone who did not receive the kingdom of God like a little child would not enter it. And he blessed the children.

           Children and the kingdom. What is it about children that would lead Jesus to use them as a lesson to teach us what we must become like—what we must be like to enter the kingdom of God? I suppose each of us could come up with some kind of answer.

           One of the things I learn from children—and we are talking about young children—is what it looks like to love without inhibition. I experience that now with my grandchildren. When my children were very young…well, I could pick them up, smother them with kisses, give them a whisker rub. They didn’t care how I looked, either. And they didn’t care who was watching. They wanted to be loved on. Then our kids begin to grow older. And, well… parents can sometimes embarrass their young charges. They still love us and we love them—but they would prefer we limit some of the mushy stuff at least while their friends are around. You know what I mean. That stage is reached when they struggle with independence issues—and they will come to us when they need something—help on their multiplication tables or money.

           I think God appreciates a kind of uninhibited love from his children. A love that is not ashamed of him in public. That’s a thing I think of when I think of children and the kingdom.

           But I believe Jesus had a bit more in mind here.

           For one, children are very receptive. We are inching closer to the season when there are many television commercials devoted to kids. In fact, it has begun. In homes all across this land, the words, “I want that,” or, “Can I have that for Christmas?” will be heard.

           Children sure know how to ask for a gift. Children also know how to receive a gift, don’t they? They take it. They accept it. They express appreciation. They don’t question it. Children are, quite simply, very receptive of the gifts given them.

           I wonder if perhaps that is the manner in which we are to receive gifts from God. Our salvation is a gift. We are saved by grace; it is the gift of God. The kingdom of God is a gift. We just need to accept these gifts. And express appreciation.

           The kingdom belongs to such as these. These are the ones who are receptive to the gift.

           But then, two, children are content to be dependent. Children are content to be dependent. Dependent upon another’s care and provision and protection. They are okay with that.

           When I was very young, it was my parents who provided me with everything I needed. It was my parents who protected me. And it never occurred to me to say, “I wish I did not have to depend upon Dad and Mom so much.” That would come later—that independence thing. But not while I was very young. I depended on them without even thinking about it. I am sure those were some of the most contented days of my life—when I was content to be dependent.

           I believe God desires his children to find their contentment in him—to fully trust God. God wants to provide for us. God wants to protect us. God is, after all, our heavenly Father. It is okay for us, as God’s children, to confess our dependence upon God, and to find our happiness in that trust.

           On this Cradle Rocking Sunday, these very young children can serve as a lesson and a reminder. A reminder of what it means to be receptive of the gifts given. A reminder of what it means to depend upon another. For the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it and who trust fully in God.

           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.”