“Unless you become…..”

When the disciples tried to stop Jesus being bothered with children, he rebuked them, taking the children in his arms and blessing them. More than that, he declared that no one could enter the Kingdom unless they became like a little child. What was it about a small child? What child-like characteristics did he mean - dependence? innocent trust? lack of self-importance? vulnerability? helplessness? Perhaps a combination of all of these.

Jesus called people to repent which has to mean acknowledging dependence and helplessness as well as sinfulness. We may wish we could enter the Kingdom on merit - as adults with wisdom and experience. No, said Jesus, you have to come with no credentials, no clout, and no claims. The more we are sure of our status and our rights, the more difficult it is to enter the Kingdom.

'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:21,22

A wealthy, young (according to Matthew), influential (according to Luke) highly moral man came to Jesus, and knelt before him. He asked, in so many words, how he could enter the Kingdom of God. But the answer was not praise for his achievements, nor an automatic welcome for this attractive and successful person. Jesus asked him to do something he could not bear to do - give away his wealth and future security and give to the poor. What stops people from entering the Kingdom? A strong sense of self-worth? Caring too much for money and security? Being too proud to become 'childlike'? However long we may have been Christians, daily we need to come to him as a dependent child to our Father, as a subject of the Kingdom to our king.