Don’t Get in the Way: Jesus, Children, and the Kingdom of God

By Pastor Gary Boyd

Mark 10:13–16

Let me take you back to our time living in northern Virginia. We were in a townhouse just off Burke Commons Road, and after a long day of work, turning onto that road felt like victory. 🏡 You could just about coast the rest of the way home. But every once in a while—boom—construction 🚧 would block the entrance to our street. I’d be forced into a 20-minute detour for what was normally a 2-mile trip. 🙄

Not the end of the world, sure. But definitely the last thing you want when you’re just trying to get home.

That memory popped into my mind as I studied Mark 10, because in this passage, we see people trying to get to Jesus—and hitting an unexpected roadblock. But it’s not roadwork. It’s Jesus’ own disciples. 😳

And what were they blocking?

Parents trying to bring their children to Jesus.

When Grown-Ups Get in the Way 🚫👶

Jesus is making His way toward the cross, and a group of parents sees a golden opportunity. ✨ They don’t know it, but this might be their last chance to get their kids to Him.

They don’t ask for miracles. They just want Jesus to touch their kids. To bless them. 💛

But then—boom. Obstacle. His own followers stop them. The disciples rebuke them.

It’s wild when you think about it: the people closest to Jesus are actually standing in the way of people trying to get to Him. And not just any people—parents, doing the faithful work of leading their kids to the Savior. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

And here’s the thing: I don’t think the disciples meant harm. They probably thought they were doing the right thing. Maybe they figured kids were a distraction. Maybe they thought Jesus had more important things to do. 🤷‍♂️

But they were wrong. So wrong.

Jesus Wasn’t Just Annoyed—He Was Mad 😠

Mark tells us that Jesus was “much displeased.” That’s Bible-speak for seriously upset. And He lets the disciples know right away.

“Let the little children come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)

In other words: Don’t get in their way. 🙅‍♀️

Jesus doesn’t just permit children—He celebrates them. He welcomes them with open arms. And then He goes even further:

“Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” (Mark 10:15)

Jesus flips the script. The kids aren’t just welcome in the kingdom—they’re examples of the kind of faith we all need. 🙌

God’s Kingdom Isn’t Built on Adult Achievements 👨‍💼💼

Let’s be honest—we adults tend to value things like strength, wisdom, influence, and bank accounts. 💰 But kids? Kids have something we’ve often lost:

• Humility 🧎‍♂️
• Trust 🤝
• Openness 👐
• A heart that believes easily ❤️

Jesus isn’t looking for big résumés or spiritual muscles. He’s looking for childlike faith.

Church, This Is a Wake-Up Call 🔔⛪

Let’s talk straight for a moment: this passage should make us rethink how we view children’s ministry—and how we treat kids in church.

1. Kids’ Ministry Is Not a Side Project 🎨✝️

If we act like children’s ministry is just babysitting while the “real” stuff happens with the grown-ups, we’ve missed Jesus’ heart. He made time for the children. He loved them. He blessed them.

2. Everyone Can Play a Part 🧩

Not everyone is meant to be in a classroom (and that’s okay!). But we can all support the mission:

• Pray 🙏
• Encourage the workers 💬
• Be kind and welcoming to families 🫶

3. Tear Down, Don’t Build Up Barriers 🧱🔨

Sometimes the barriers aren’t physical—they’re our attitudes. 😕

Some parents bring their kids into the main service. And yes, sometimes they squirm or squeal or spill something. But here’s a question:

Would you rather that family stay home until little Johnny can sit perfectly still? 😬

Or would you rather celebrate that they made it to church at all? 🎉

Let’s be the kind of church where families walk in and immediately feel relieved—not judged. Whether their kids are in nursery or sitting beside them, let’s cheer them on. 👏

Let’s Do Better—Together ❤️👣

So here’s the challenge:

• Have you ever made it harder (even unintentionally) for a child to get to Jesus?
• Have you ever looked sideways at a young family struggling to stay engaged?
• Have you ever valued the wrong things?

Let’s change that. Let’s pray that our church is a place where children are not only welcomed, but wanted.

Because Jesus welcomed them.

He blessed them.

And He told us to become like them. 🙇‍♀️🙇

Let’s not get in the way.

Let’s open our arms, like Jesus did. 🤗

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