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    This Bible study continues the Bible study on the Book of Mark begun with this post. This is the most previous post from Mark.
    Mark 10:13-16 tells one of the most beautiful teachings of Jesus, and that is that we are all to ensure that our children, both those born to us and those within our influence, are brought safely to the faith in Jesus Christ by teaching them the Word. In fact, Jesus tells us in these verses that if we do not receive His word in the same way that those little children receive it, that is with total devotion to the faith, that we will not enter the kingdom.
    Why such a stern message in an otherwise beautiful portrayal of God’s grace? Because the road to Heaven is not easy and it begins with unequivocal faith in Jesus Christ and the message of the Gospel. This message is the irreducible whole of the Christian faith. Remove anything from that message and it is no longer the faith. Add anything to that message and it is no longer the faith.
    This warning accompanies the gathering of the children to Jesus because Jesus gathers us the same way, in our resolute and continued faith in the Gospel. As we strive to have that childlike faith through regular reading of the Word and participation in the Sacraments, we strengthen that faith through the Holy Spirit. The more time we spend in that gathering of Jesus, the more childlike our faith becomes, that is pure, whole and unwavering.
DLH
