Community & Discipleship
2010년 2월 7일 예배
Jesus carried on the mission of the kingdom of God after his resurrection, and we are invited to align our whole lives with that reign by coming to him like little children. Mark 10:13-16 shows Jesus welcoming children and rebuking those who block them.
The kingdom of God is Jesus' mission
Most Christians stop at the cross and resurrection, and assume our job is simply to carry on Jesus' work. Scripture shows something more. Jesus came to proclaim the kingdom of God, and after rising he continued that same mission. He said the kingdom of God is among you, and Paul proclaimed it to the end of Acts. The kingdom is not a place, a realm, or a political system. It is God's reign over creation, and all people are invited to align their lives with Jesus and his kingdom.
Jesus welcomes the messy crowd of children
Mark 10:13 pictures parents rushing their children toward Jesus in a crowd that was anything but neat and orderly. The disciples rebuked them, thinking they were protecting the Lord. Jesus was indignant, but his indignation was aimed at those who should have known better, his own followers, not at the sinners or the people who did not yet understand him. He said, let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. We must never stand in the way of a little one coming to Jesus.
Receiving the kingdom means living from the inside out
Jesus said that anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. This does not mean a childlike faith that lets us live however we want while wearing the Christian label. Jesus hates pretense and power. Children live honestly from the inside out, like a four-year-old drawing an elephant without fear. Over time we learn to perform for approval and to measure our worth by achievement. The kingdom calls us back to honest, unfiltered lives before God.
Following Jesus does not promise an easy life
Many people say that coming to Jesus will fix everything, that storms will be calmed, cancer will end, divorce will not happen, and loneliness will disappear. The gospel does not promise that. In Mark 4, the disciples cried out in the storm, and Jesus calmed the wind and waves, but following him still means facing hardship. Coming to Jesus is not about getting a comfortable life. It is about aligning ourselves with the kingdom of God, where he leads and reigns.
Come to Jesus and receive his rest
Jesus invites all who are weary, tired of playing the game, and trying to live by outward performance to come to him. He says, take my yoke upon you, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Our work, money, and privilege do not belong to us; they are gifts to be handed over to his reign. Like children, we need the touch and embrace of Jesus to drop our walls and receive his love.
Apply to Life
- Let us come to Jesus like little children, living honestly from the inside out without pretense or performance.
- Let us not stand in the way of anyone, especially children, who is coming to Jesus.
- Let us examine our work, money, and privileges, and hand them over to the reign of God.
- Let us bring our weariness to Jesus and receive the rest he offers.
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