Lately, I’ve been taking a slow journey through Mark, only reading about 10 verses a day. This slow approach encourages me to think more deeply about the passage.

During the week, I read chapter 10:13-22, about Jesus blessing the children and the rich young ruler, who says, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 17).

So often, we want to do something for God, anything really, so that we aren’t quite so dependent on God’s grace and mercy. However, in the end, the young man wasn’t able to do what Jesus asked.

Whereas the children came to Jesus without any thought of doing something for him. They came with an openness to receiving his blessing. Jesus’ response was, “For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children” (v. 14).

Let’s be like those who come to Jesus with a willingness to receive.