Come as You Are

At Calvary Baptist Church, we often say we want to carry hope, build intentional relationships, pursue Jesus, and make disciples. This past Sunday, we saw how Jesus models all of this in one tender yet powerful moment—when He welcomed the little children.

In Mark 10, we see a crowd bringing children to Jesus for a blessing. But the disciples—perhaps trying to protect Jesus’ time or uphold their own ideas of who mattered—rebuked them. In that moment, they misunderstood the heart of the kingdom.

Jesus, however, was indignant. Not annoyed. Not mildly frustrated. He was righteously angry. Why? Because to hinder the humble is to misrepresent the heart of God. And Jesus clears it up quickly: “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

This is more than a nice story for children’s ministry. It’s a call to every adult who thinks they need to earn their way into God’s favor. Jesus tells us that unless we receive the kingdom like a child—with open hands, trust, and humility—we cannot enter it at all.

Children don’t come with resumes. They come with need and dependence. That’s how Jesus wants us to come to Him.

At the end of this scene, Jesus doesn’t just allow the children near Him. He embraces them. He blesses them fervently. This is what the gospel looks like: not a reluctant acceptance, but a deep, personal love.

Church family, let’s be like Jesus. Let’s embrace the humble, welcome the overlooked, and resist the worldly urge to measure people by status or success. The kingdom of God belongs to those who come not with pride but with trust.

This week, let’s ask ourselves: Are we welcoming people to Jesus, or unintentionally hindering them from doing so? And are we resting in His arms like children—or trying to prove our worth?

Come to Him as you are. He’s not just willing to receive you—He longs to bless you.