seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Mark 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 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. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Anyone who knows me, knows I tried to sue the doctor who worked on my eyes. I could see when I met him, but now I'm blind in one eye. I didn't really want the money. I wanted him to "fess up" but his lawyers wouldn't let him even speak to me.... [still]. I didn't need the money... I just wanted him to admit he did wrong and tell me how he was going to change course, so no other woman goes blind at his hand. Well, since I'm not rich enough to hire a doctor to point his finger at a fellow professional, I could not sue. This morning I got up and I see that someone is suing someone else to stop them from coming after him for documents and testimony. This guy can afford to sue anyone for anything... and I don't think anyone has blinded him. He's rich! He can afford to pay to play in court. It's just not fair!!!I find it interesting that the story about loving children and the story of the desperation of the rich can be found in the same few verses. That's why I'm putting them together here.
Children have no concept of money or greed. Oh, they think coins are pretty, but they don't desire them. They are like little puppies. They are like funny kittens. They are like cute little bunnies. They make me smile every time I see one. They don't have to take something from someone else to be happy. Children are all heart!
Children don't need lawyers on retainer!
The rich on the other hand, demand attention.... lots and lots and lots of attention. AND although they pay for all that attention, they really don't want to part with one red cent. It takes a lot of work to be rich. It's a huge responsibility. A lot of people depend on the rich for their own livelihood. Think of how many starving lawyers there would be without the rich to sue the poor!
Now I know this rich guy was not Herod. BUT... Can you imagine just how ridiculous it would be for Herod to come to Jesus? Herod couldn't just "give in". It would have been a huge event, like when Moses saw the burning bush. Jesus was a commoner.... a lowly guy who didn't even have a job or an address to give as permanent. Jesus didn't pay taxes because He had no income. If Jesus needed money.... he'd send someone to fish it out of a fish's mouth. If He needed bread and fish to put on a huge banquet, He'd just borrow a little boy's lunch. Jesus didn't worship money. Jesus was happy with being as innocent as a child.
Jesus didn't have any lawyers on retainer!
Jesus taught us that "Love makes the world go round."
Children don't need lawyers on retainer!
