However, when Jesus told his disciples not to stop the children from being brought to him, he said that “the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these”. (Luke 18)

But what did he mean?  Why does the kingdom of God belong to children and people who are “like” children?  And, what is it about “children” that makes them so worthy of the kingdom?

If we look at what was happening when Jesus said this we can get a few clues.  In Luke 17 we find the Pharisees asking Jesus about when the kingdom of God would come.  First, Jesus pointed out that the coming of the Kingdom of God would not be predictable or obvious.  Then, he made it clear that the coming of the Kingdom was linked to judgement as well as God’s undeserved goodness and mercy.  Second, Jesus pointed out that the Kingdom of God was already in their midst.  This was a reference to the fact that He was with them.   He connected himself to the judgement through the rejection and suffering he would experience.

Jesus continued to build a picture of what the Kingdom of God is like, and who is fit for the Kingdom. Trying to save ourselves will not work (17.33). God is more willing to give justice than we are to ask for it (!) so we should not lose heart, but keep praying (18.1-7). Then Jesus contrasted the Pharisee and tax-collector.  The tax-collector was a despised person because he did the dirty work of the Roman overlords.  They were not known for being particularly honest or fair about doing it! The Pharisee was so concerned to avoid doing wrong that he became obsessed with being super good.  Jesus shocks his hearers by stating that “bad” man who asks for mercy is in a better position before God than the “super good” man who rests on his own goodness.

Then, after the incident with the children a rich ruler who, like the Pharisee in the parable, has done everything right came to Jesus to ask what more he must do to ensure he would enter the Kingdom of God.

Often people are tempted to believe that Kingdom of God belongs to children because they are innocent or intrinsically good.  But, Jesus dismissed that notion with the parable about the Pharisee and the tax-collector.  Our own goodness will not make us right with God.  To underline that Jesus rejects the lifelong good-living of the rich ruler.  Good living will not get the ruler into heaven by his own efforts either.  And, he cannot buy his way into the God’s Kingdom.  His wealth has got in the way.  He has to get rid of it all!

So, what about the children receiving the Kingdom of God?  If it is not because they are intrinsically good, or “innocent”, then why does the Kingdom of God belong to such as these?  In each case the men who are not worthy have assumed that their behaviour and their achievements have made them fit for the Kingdom.  A child has come naked into the world (Ecclesiastes 5.15).  A child has nothing to commend him or her, no achievement, no attachment to wealth or status.  So, a child must rely entirely on the mercy of God to enter the Kingdom of God.  But, we must also be careful to note all that Jesus says here.  He is using the children as examples: he doesn’t say that the Kingdom belongs to children, but that the Kingdom is received by such as these.  No personal achievement, no wealth, no status can get anyone into God’s Kingdom.

The rich ruler cannot even contemplate entering the Kingdom of God while he puts his trust in all his wealth.  The Pharisee cannot even contemplate entering the Kingdom of God if he behaves as if he has a right of entry.  His arrogance before God excludes him just as effectively as the rich man’s attachment to his wealth.

We cannot buy our way into the God’s Kingdom by our achievements or good works.  The only way into the Kingdom is through a humble trust in Jesus to take us to His Father.  People who are welcomed into God’s kingdom are people who Jesus has saved through his own suffering and death; people who the Father has given new life along with His precious Son, Jesus.