Jesus Bends Down to Raise Us Up (Mark 10:13-16)

Memory Verse:

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6)


Teaching Aids:

1) Poster - Title:  "Jesus Bends Down (Philippians 2:5-11) to Raise Us Up (Ephesians 2:6)"; Have kids color various pictures of Jesus surrounded by and lifting up children. Glue these pictures to the poster.


Read and Discuss:

1) Discuss the context of this passage by pointing out how today's passage fits in with two previous references in chapter 9 to Jesus raising up a child (ie, vs 27; vs 36) and a third reference to children in vs 42.

4) (vs 13a) "People were bringing little children..." The words and context tell us that these were babies (ie, they literally had nothing to offer)

5) (vs 13b) "but the disciples rebuked them". In Jesus' time children were considered the least important (ie, in last place) in all of society.

6) (vs 14) "... for the kingdom of God belongs such as these." (see also Chap. 9:35-37)

7) Why did Jesus use these lowly babies as an example of what one must be like to enter the kingdom of God?


The Main Point:

What did the children have to offer Jesus? (nothing)
Power? (no)
Money? (no)
Good Works? (no)

Look up and Read: (Mark 10:33-34) "saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise."

Look up and Read: (Mark 9:33-37) "And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."

Jesus knew what His mission was. He came down from the very highest place (ie, "first" place) to the very lowest place (ie, "last" place) to offer Himself as a free gift to those who have absolutely nothing to offer!

Why was Jesus so "indignant" with his disciples when they tried to turn away the little children?

He knew that only those who know they have nothing will come to the only One who can give them everything!


The Gospel: 

Jesus gave up His high place (Phil. 2:5-11)... first place... to take the last place... to become low for us (ie, like a child) so that He could raise us up to the highest place on His Father's lap (Eph. 2:4-6)!!


Gospel Consequences:

For Ourselves: Knowing Jesus accepts us "with open arms" (vs 16) only when we come to Him with nothing, frees us from trying to impress Him.

For Others: Knowing we are accepted by the only One who matters frees us from seeking that acceptance from others (vs 13).