"The Beauty of Dependence"

April 19, 2026

Background: Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 9:336-37, 42; 10:13-16; Lk. 2:1-20;

Print: Mark 9:36-37, 42; 10:13-16;

Key Verse: Mark 10:15; Devotional: Psalm 8
 

Mark 9:36-37 (ESV)
³⁶  And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them,
³⁷  “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Mark 9:42 (ESV)
⁴²  “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)
¹³  And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
¹⁴  But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
¹⁵  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
¹⁶  And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Mark Chapter 9, 10 (Commentary)

Mark 9:36-37 Jesus illustrated his point with a child (9:36). To show kindness to a child—who can offer nothing in return—is to serve God (9:37). Greatness is not achieved through marvelous actions that all see. It’s often achieved through lowly and unseen acts of service toward those who cannot repay. But God sees, and God repays.

9:42 If anyone causes one of these little ones—like the child in 9:36-37 or the man in 9:38-39—who believe in Jesus to be led astray, he would be better off having a millstone wrapped around his neck and tossed into the sea. A millstone was used to grind grain, and it was so heavy that a donkey was typically used to move it. Thus, the consequences are grave for leading a follower of Christ astray through deception or false teaching. God’s severe judgment will fall.

Mark 10:13-16 Parents were bringing little children to Jesus so that he touched and blessed them (10:13, 16). For some reason, the disciples rebuked them (10:13). But you don’t want to be the one to come between Jesus and children. Children held a low status in this ancient society, and Jesus was displeased by the marginalization of these precious ones. He was indignant and told people to let the little children come to him. He prioritized children because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (10:14).

The reason Jesus valued children so highly is because they are a model of what it takes for someone to come to God. Little children know what it is to have a low and dependent status. When they put their trust in someone, they do it wholeheartedly and with humility. To trust in God is to receive his kingdom . . . like a little child (10:15). We are not to be like the Pharisees, having pride in ourselves and in our own righteousness. We are to humble ourselves, acknowledging our sin, and put our whole trust and dependence in God.

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