The Explanation

Jesus walked with crowds of people who followed him everywhere. Some men called Pharisees came to test him with a hard question about marriage. Jesus told them that God made husband and wife to be one, joined together for life. He said what God has joined together, no one should tear apart.

Then something warmer happened. Mothers and fathers brought their little children to Jesus. They wanted him to put his hands on them and pray. But the disciples pushed the children away. "Not now," they said. "Jesus is busy."

Jesus did not like that at all. "Let the little children come to me," he said. "Don't stop them. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these." He picked them up, put his hands on them, and blessed them. Imagine that. The King of the whole world, taking time for the smallest people around.

After that, a young man ran up to Jesus. He looked rich and serious. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to have eternal life?" Jesus told him to keep the commandments: do not murder, do not steal, do not lie, honor your parents, love your neighbor.

"I have done all that," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

Jesus looked at him and said something surprising. "Go, sell what you have, give it to the poor, and follow me." The young man's face fell. He was very rich, and he walked away sad.

Jesus turned to his disciples. "It is hard for a rich man to enter God's Kingdom," he said. "Easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye." The disciples were stunned. "Who then can be saved?" they asked.

Jesus looked straight at them. "With men this is impossible. But with God all things are possible."

What Does This Mean?

Jesus was not against rich people, or against having things. He was showing that this young man loved his money more than he loved God. Something can own your heart even if you never call it your master. The children Jesus blessed had nothing to offer him at all, no money, no clever answers. They just came. And that is exactly what Jesus wanted.

The Common Thread

All through the Bible, God keeps reaching for people who cannot save themselves. The young man thought he could earn eternal life by being good enough. But Jesus shows that no one can climb into heaven by their own strength, not even a rich, careful, rule-keeping man. Only God can make that possible. That is why Jesus came. He gives what we could never earn.

For You

You do not need money, or good grades, or perfect behavior to come to Jesus. You just come, like those children did. Today you could climb into someone's lap and ask them to pray for you, the way those children did with Jesus. You could also ask yourself honestly: is there something I hold onto too tightly, a toy, a treat, my own way? Jesus wants your whole heart, not just your leftover time.

Talk About It

Why do you think Jesus loved having the children come to him?

Is there something you find hard to share or let go of, the way the rich young man held onto his money?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus, thank you that we can come to you just as we are. Thank you that with you, even impossible things become possible. Help us to hold you tighter than we hold our things. Amen.