OIA 10.13-16

Observations

• Who: People bringing children, Jesus, the twelve
• When: in the context of greatest argument, and first/last/first dialogue
• Where: In the region of Judea and across the Jordan
• What: another example of the last – children and their parents – coming to Jesus, and the disciples’ misunderstanding
• Connections: Jesus’ embracing the child in 9.36
• Contrasts: rebuke/receive
• Responses to Jesus: Parents and children are coming to Jesus; disciples impede Jesus’ intentions

Interpretation

• This story is again in the context of the disciple’s argument about greatness that followed Jesus’ second announcement of his coming betrayal, death and resurrection. This is another example of the least being the first, and the second time in must a few verses where Jesus takes a child into his arms to make his point that in his kingdom the least are to be welcomed and honored.
• The outline of this section so far is:
• Announcement
• Argument among the 12
• Jesus teaching about children, outsiders
• Warning about abusive leadership
• Examples of the last being first: divorcees, children
• Examples of the first being last: the rich man, the disciples
• The 12 still do not understand Jesus’ priority of welcoming the least.
• What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a little child? It means we, like a low-status child who brings nothing along with them but love and dependence, receive the kingdom as a blessing from Jesus. Receiving the kingdom is not a matter of us doing our part, and Jesus his; it is not a negotiated bargain where we negotiate as equals. Receiving the kingdom comes through Jesus’ personal blessing, through his welcoming embrace, and our willingness to accept his generous blessing to us who are among the least.

Application

• Jesus is driving home to the disciples the kingdom value of welcoming the least.
• We, like the child, bring nothing to the relationship other than love and dependence.