Tuesday after the Third Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on June 27, 2023 by under
Scripture: St. Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV)
10:13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Devotion
Jesus was “greatly displeased” by the behavior of the disciples. They thought they were doing something good and helpful for Him, but in spite of their good intentions, they were wrong and deserved His rebuke.
Satan taught Eve to act on her own assumptions. Ever since, he continues to confuse us and lead us into evil, while we tell ourselves that things look good and that we have good reasons. Like yesterday’s reading, Jesus is teaching us that we must not lean on our own desires or understanding, but learn to see according to His wisdom and will. Children are not a bother to our Lord; He came to save them from sin and death just as much as He did for adults who misguidedly think they are clever! Children can be examples of the humility, trust, and dependency that we should have toward our heavenly Father. The oldest and wisest adult will never outgrow his status of being a child in relation to our eternal Maker and Redeemer.
Christ teaches us to pray with the words “Our Father…” because, as Luther correctly articulates in the Small Catechism, we should pray “as dear children ask their dear father.” Our Lord wants us to see ourselves as dependent on our gracious God, not ‘co-lords’ or ‘co-gods’. We are given works and vocations to do, but all authority belongs to Him, and everything we do should be in service to His kingdom of righteousness and love.
Prayer: O God, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without Whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal. that we finally lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
