WEBVTT 00:00:00.820 --> 00:00:04.719 Well, this text is likely for most of us a familiar passage. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:09.900 You can find its parallels in Matthew 19 and then again in Luke 18. 00:00:09.900 --> 00:00:12.960 You'll see this rehearsed by those gospel authors as well. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.640 And really the passage can be incredibly helpful to us 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:25.480 as we are considering difficult questions that relate to a theology of children 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:28.260 and how the gospel relates to children. 00:00:28.260 --> 00:00:31.740 We can utilize this passage for a lot of reasons. 00:00:31.740 --> 00:00:36.820 We can appeal to Jesus' teaching here when we're thinking about 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:40.660 whether or not children can actually understand the gospel and be saved. 00:00:41.540 --> 00:00:43.140 You know, that's a question for a lot of people. 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:46.620 At what point in life can a child actually understand the gospel? 00:00:47.040 --> 00:00:52.359 Should we actually put limits on ages when we take seriously a confession of faith 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:54.540 for a child or a young adult? 00:00:54.539 --> 00:00:58.539 Should we put limits on ages for baptism and so on and so forth? 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:00.740 And lots of churches take different approaches to that. 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:05.239 And we can appeal to Jesus' teaching here as we're thinking through those things 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:08.539 and thinking through how the gospel relates to children. 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:15.620 That in turn helps us understand the appropriateness of baptism for children 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:19.099 as we will celebrate and enjoy today. 00:01:19.099 --> 00:01:23.839 If a child can be saved, then that means that their profession of faith 00:01:23.839 --> 00:01:31.039 then can be seen as credible, which means there's really no reason to withhold from them baptism. 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:36.000 And we celebrate that with Clementine just here after the service this morning. 00:01:37.699 --> 00:01:40.979 It helps us as we consider Jesus' teaching, 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:43.919 and really Jesus' actions here in this passage, 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:49.219 to think about the eternal destiny of young children who die. 00:01:50.920 --> 00:01:54.000 Luke emphasizes in his account, in Luke chapter 18, 00:01:54.420 --> 00:01:59.460 that some of the children being brought to Jesus in this particular moment were infants. 00:02:00.240 --> 00:02:04.200 Mark uses a word, paideia, which is just generally used for children. 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:10.659 He used that earlier in the book to describe the 12-year-old girl who was dead that Jesus raised to life. 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:14.500 So it could mean referencing children up to about 12 years old. 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:20.780 Jewish custom would have pronounced a person as an adult at age 13 at that particular time. 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:22.740 So it could be kids up to age 12. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:25.819 But then Luke uses a different word. 00:02:25.900 --> 00:02:26.800 He doesn't use paideia. 00:02:26.859 --> 00:02:28.659 He uses a different word that emphasizes infancy, 00:02:29.419 --> 00:02:33.099 those who literally would have had to have been carried to Jesus at this moment. 00:02:33.300 --> 00:02:36.240 Which just becomes incredibly helpful to us, doesn't it? 00:02:36.240 --> 00:02:42.840 Because Jesus in this moment pronounces that such children actually belong to his kingdom. 00:02:43.640 --> 00:02:50.960 I know some of you have experienced the excruciating grief of losing a child. 00:02:51.700 --> 00:03:00.400 And here, Jesus assures our hearts that there are children who may not intellectually be able to understand 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:02.560 everything there is to understand about the gospel, 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:05.140 and yet they can still belong to the kingdom. 00:03:05.139 --> 00:03:08.879 And so I think this passage is really helpful to us in a lot of ways. 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:13.759 The bottom line is that a comprehensive theology of children in the gospel 00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:18.659 is going to have some type of emphasis from this particular passage. 00:03:19.179 --> 00:03:21.619 But as we dig into the verses this morning, 00:03:21.619 --> 00:03:24.959 I think we'll find that their significance here, 00:03:25.179 --> 00:03:27.279 the significance of this teaching of this event, 00:03:27.459 --> 00:03:29.519 is about far more than children. 00:03:30.359 --> 00:03:32.939 It's not just a passage about kids. 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:37.919 It's actually much greater than that and much more significant than it. 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:40.719 So if we take this text for what it is, 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:47.879 we discover that it's a wonderful passage on the grace of God and who can receive it. 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:49.139 That's really the point. 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:51.960 What is God's grace in salvation? 00:03:51.960 --> 00:03:55.480 And who can actually receive this grace? 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:59.760 And of course, one of the immediate applications relates directly to children. 00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:03.300 We learn here that Jesus loves children. 00:04:04.100 --> 00:04:07.379 It's as clear as can be as we read through this particular case. 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:09.520 Perhaps you remember singing the chorus, 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:11.740 Jesus loves the little children, 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:14.000 all the children of the world, 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:16.259 red and yellow, black and white. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:17.819 They are precious in his sight. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:20.319 And Jesus loves the little children of the world. 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:23.300 Maybe he sang that in Sunday school growing up. 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:24.899 And of course, it's absolutely true. 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:27.379 And we know it's true because when we come to Mark 10, 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:31.959 we see the great love and tenderness that Jesus had towards these kids. 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:33.339 He loves them. 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:36.800 We not only learn that Jesus loves children, 00:04:37.079 --> 00:04:38.779 but we also learn in this passage, 00:04:38.779 --> 00:04:47.500 I believe that children can indeed possess an authentic, vibrant, saving faith. 00:04:49.979 --> 00:04:55.000 Jesus broadens here even the entrance to the kingdom of God 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:58.500 to include people who will come like children. 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:04.279 And he uses these babies and kids here symbolically in this lesson. 00:05:04.779 --> 00:05:07.559 Here, they're representing all true disciples. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:09.560 It's not just about them. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:11.139 It's about who they represent. 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:14.540 They represent all true disciples of Christ. 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:17.139 And of course, children can be included in that group. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:19.060 But at the end of the day, 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:25.480 the passage is really about the gospel of God's glorious, sovereign grace. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:26.800 So let's dig in. 00:05:26.899 --> 00:05:28.040 The first thing, if you want to keep notes, 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:29.060 the first thing is this. 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:31.840 We see the tension here in this text. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:32.660 The tension. 00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:34.860 Look with me at verse 13. 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:40.040 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them. 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:44.060 Mark doesn't tell us where exactly these events unfolded, 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:47.720 but we at least know they were somewhere in the area of Judea 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:50.400 or the Transjordan region of Perea. 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:54.580 Jesus was now finished with his public ministry in Galilee. 00:05:54.780 --> 00:05:58.340 He is moving ever closer to Jerusalem and to the cross. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:00.980 Luke says his face is set toward Jerusalem, 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:05.259 meaning he is focused now on heading to the cross to make an atonement for our sins. 00:06:05.400 --> 00:06:07.520 And on his way there, he moves through Judea. 00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:12.480 That's where we found Mark's narrative moving last week in our text. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:15.780 And he's doing the same things as he goes to Judea and Perea. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:18.300 He's ministering to the people. 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:21.379 And masses of people are coming to him. 00:06:21.720 --> 00:06:24.060 He was spending his days teaching the crowds. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:27.340 He was healing the sick, Matthew tells us. 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:31.039 And then he was also confronting the religious apostates, 00:06:31.119 --> 00:06:34.719 the Pharisees and Sadducees and some of the Herodians as well. 00:06:35.299 --> 00:06:39.119 But it's here that Mark introduces a facet of Jesus' ministry 00:06:39.119 --> 00:06:40.859 that we haven't been introduced to yet. 00:06:41.159 --> 00:06:43.179 We haven't seen this yet, at least in Mark's gospel. 00:06:43.639 --> 00:06:44.620 We haven't seen this. 00:06:45.099 --> 00:06:48.459 Parents were bringing their children to Jesus 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:52.599 so that he might touch them and bless them. 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:57.320 And we've noticed this before, but it's worth stating again 00:06:57.320 --> 00:07:03.080 that Jesus became known among the people for his compassionate touch. 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:05.720 Think back in Mark's gospel. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:09.000 How many times does Jesus come to a particular area? 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:11.580 And the narrative tells us that people were coming to him 00:07:11.580 --> 00:07:14.060 in order that he might touch them. 00:07:14.420 --> 00:07:16.160 And of course, what they're looking for is blessing. 00:07:16.340 --> 00:07:18.160 They're looking for healing in that touch. 00:07:18.220 --> 00:07:20.280 They're looking to experience the power of his touch. 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:23.139 But the very fact that he was willing to touch them 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:24.599 said a lot about Jesus. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.659 It was a distinctive feature of his ministry 00:07:27.659 --> 00:07:32.839 that set him apart from the other rabbis of the time. 00:07:33.299 --> 00:07:34.419 He was tender. 00:07:35.159 --> 00:07:36.399 He was compassionate. 00:07:37.039 --> 00:07:39.199 He embraced the people. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:44.019 Those who came to him, even the worst of the worst, 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:49.479 those with deadly, contagious diseases like leprosy, 00:07:49.539 --> 00:07:52.599 when they came to Jesus, he embraced them. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.500 Those are the people that everyone avoided. 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:58.159 Even those people Jesus is embracing. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:00.079 He was known for his touch. 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:01.620 And here are these parents. 00:08:01.799 --> 00:08:03.479 They're bringing their children to Jesus 00:08:03.479 --> 00:08:06.479 because they expected and anticipated 00:08:06.479 --> 00:08:11.659 that he would show that same tender compassion towards them. 00:08:11.660 --> 00:08:15.560 But what specifically were these parents hoping 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:19.120 to achieve in this touch or in this blessing? 00:08:20.340 --> 00:08:23.640 Spiritual blessings were deeply rooted 00:08:23.640 --> 00:08:26.620 in the historical traditions of the Jewish people. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:30.220 You remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:32.440 all pronouncing blessings on their children. 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:38.800 You'll remember that the priest commonly would bless the people 00:08:38.800 --> 00:08:39.899 as they came for worship. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:42.079 In fact, we use Aaron's blessing often. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:44.279 We'll use it today as a benediction to our service. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:46.079 May the Lord bless you and keep you 00:08:46.079 --> 00:08:47.579 and make his face shine upon you. 00:08:47.699 --> 00:08:50.240 That was pronounced by the priest on the people 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:51.480 as they would come for worship, 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:53.959 making sacrifices to the Lord God. 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:56.240 They were significant blessings. 00:08:57.419 --> 00:08:59.899 In Jesus's day, it wasn't uncommon for parents 00:09:00.419 --> 00:09:02.340 to take their newborn babies to the temple 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:05.939 or to the synagogue where a respected rabbi or priest 00:09:05.939 --> 00:09:08.639 would pronounce some sort of blessing on their children, 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:12.319 similar to a dedication service like we would have here 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:13.120 in our services. 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:14.899 These blessings were significant. 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:18.259 They weren't just well wishes for the kids 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:19.840 or for the people who received them. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:21.819 They were prayers to God. 00:09:22.819 --> 00:09:24.379 Prayers on behalf of the people, 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.699 but they were prophetic in nature. 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:31.639 Think back to the story of Joseph and his brothers. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:35.379 Remember at the end of Jacob's life, Israel's life, 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.620 he's in Egypt now, 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:39.559 and he calls in Joseph and all of his brothers, 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:40.360 and what does he do? 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:42.480 He pronounces the blessing on them, 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.120 and he goes one by one, 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:45.699 and it's not just that he says, 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:47.539 I hope things go good with you when I'm gone. 00:09:47.659 --> 00:09:50.340 He actually prophesies what God 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:51.679 was going to do with their lives, 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:52.639 and he goes one by one. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:56.299 These blessings many times had a prophetic nature to them. 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:58.720 So what is it exactly that these parents are looking for 00:09:58.720 --> 00:09:59.560 when they come to Jesus? 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:04.519 They're looking for Jesus to pray to his father 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:06.920 on behalf of these kids, 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:11.460 and that his blessing would be prophetically relevant 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:14.360 to their child's spiritual life. 00:10:15.160 --> 00:10:17.620 So this is an important thing to them, 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:20.180 and look what happens when they come. 00:10:20.660 --> 00:10:21.519 Verse 13 again, 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:23.759 and they were bringing children to him 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.800 that he might touch them, 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:28.519 and the disciples rebuked them. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.160 They rebuked them, 00:10:31.160 --> 00:10:33.660 and this rebuke is significant to the story. 00:10:35.060 --> 00:10:36.580 It wasn't like the disciples, 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:38.740 using this word that Mark uses, rebuke, 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:41.660 it wasn't like the disciples were seeing these parents come, 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:43.639 and they were just very politely kind of taking them 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.279 to the side and saying, 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.879 you know, Jesus is very busy, 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:48.920 and he's got a lot of teaching on his schedule today. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:51.139 There's a few sessions that he's going to be performing 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:52.060 here on the hillside. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:54.259 There's a number of really sick people 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:56.080 that need his attention at this moment. 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:58.440 Maybe you could consider waiting to the end 00:10:58.440 --> 00:11:00.180 or perhaps coming back later. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:02.700 That's not what the disciples are doing here. 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:04.840 These parents are coming, 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:07.360 and they're bringing their children to Jesus, 00:11:08.020 --> 00:11:10.540 and Mark says they rebuked him, 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:14.639 and this word rebuke is the word that Mark typically uses 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:18.100 when he's talking about Jesus casting out demons. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:21.200 It means to chide someone. 00:11:22.060 --> 00:11:23.159 It's not just that they're saying, 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:25.060 hey, this is really not a good time. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:26.960 We'll have to wait and do that later. 00:11:27.040 --> 00:11:28.399 No, they're actually angrily, 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:30.800 in the same way that Jesus rebuked demons 00:11:30.800 --> 00:11:32.500 that were destroying people's lives, 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:34.920 that was the spirit with which these disciples 00:11:34.920 --> 00:11:36.279 were rebuking these parents 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:37.920 for bringing their children 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:40.860 to receive a blessing from Jesus. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:42.940 But why would they do that? 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:44.040 Why? 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:45.360 It doesn't make sense. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:48.580 Well, just like in the previous passage 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:49.960 on divorce and remarriage, 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:55.940 the disciples had imbibed the cultural view of children. 00:11:57.659 --> 00:12:01.460 Hellenistic society thought their thoughts 00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:03.840 were very different than the sentimental notions 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:06.419 that we have toward children today. 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:09.300 They were based entirely, 00:12:09.920 --> 00:12:11.019 their thoughts on children, 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:13.420 based entirely on their benefit to the family. 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:16.599 And if there was no benefit to the family, 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:18.679 there wasn't much holding them back 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:22.699 from perhaps even killing their children in the process. 00:12:23.719 --> 00:12:27.199 In Roman culture, infanticide wasn't uncommon. 00:12:28.079 --> 00:12:29.259 In fact, there's a piece of, 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:30.860 a famous piece of papyrus 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:33.559 that has survived from about the time of Jesus's birth. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.879 It was written from a Roman man to his pregnant wife. 00:12:37.219 --> 00:12:38.799 And they didn't know, of course, 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:41.039 what the gender was until after the birth. 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:43.559 But he wrote that if it was a boy to keep it, 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:46.759 but if it was a girl to cast it out, destroy it. 00:12:47.599 --> 00:12:49.719 The common thoughts toward children in that day 00:12:49.719 --> 00:12:50.599 was that they're insignificant. 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:52.240 They don't matter. 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.219 They're needy. 00:12:53.319 --> 00:12:53.959 They're helpless. 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.279 They contribute nothing. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:57.779 So unless they're actually gonna benefit our family 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:58.879 somewhere down the road, 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:01.299 there's no reason for us to keep them around. 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:03.079 And there were many people that would actually just, 00:13:03.219 --> 00:13:04.879 at least in secular culture in that time, 00:13:05.199 --> 00:13:06.480 would be more than willing 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:08.000 to even put these children to death 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:09.720 or to cast them on the street if necessary. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:12.779 Now, the disciples weren't going that far with it, 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:14.519 but they were beginning to imbibe 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:17.480 the cultural understanding and view of children. 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:21.240 So to them, these kids were only a distraction. 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.059 They were insignificant. 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:25.740 They didn't want them bothering Jesus 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:28.600 because it was gonna keep, in their minds, 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:30.139 Jesus from doing the, quote, 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:33.000 real work of the ministry. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:37.539 And to them, children didn't fit real gospel work. 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:39.500 They were just in the way. 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.600 And so these parents bring them, 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:44.019 and it's almost as if, how dare you? 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:47.799 Why would you ever think that Jesus, 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:49.460 someone so important as him, 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:51.820 would care anything about your children today? 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:54.100 Don't you care about all these other people? 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:55.519 He rebukes them. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:00.840 We're not always so unlike the disciples. 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:04.519 I don't know of any churches 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:06.160 that would outright reject children, 00:14:06.660 --> 00:14:08.780 not at least like the disciples did here. 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:12.600 Still, I'm not convinced 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:14.160 that every children's ministry 00:14:14.160 --> 00:14:16.879 and every church is really focused 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:18.660 on helping kids follow Jesus 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:22.360 as much as it is about getting the kids 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:23.100 out of the way 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:27.160 so the adults can do the real work of ministry. 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:33.019 We market our kids' programs. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.039 We want to do that. 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:37.319 We want to let everybody in the community know, 00:14:37.439 --> 00:14:38.500 hey, bring your kids. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:41.159 We got all of this stuff that they can do here. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.919 But I'm not always convinced 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:45.740 that it's really with the priority 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:48.219 of the spiritual health of those children 00:14:48.219 --> 00:14:50.459 as much as it might be 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:53.179 an incentive to just get their parents in the door. 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:57.339 And the spirit behind it sometimes is, 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:59.939 at least the unfortunate message 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:03.199 that is sometimes conveyed subliminally in this, 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:06.259 is that your children are welcome at our church. 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:09.639 They're just not welcome in the worship of our church. 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:11.219 You can bring them, 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:13.959 but we've got this other place over here set aside. 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.839 And you can take them there 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:16.799 and you can check them in 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:18.979 and we've got some games for them 00:15:18.979 --> 00:15:20.639 and we're gonna tell them some Bible stories 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.580 and stuff today, 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:25.480 but don't bring them into the auditorium. 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:27.059 That's reserved for real worship. 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:29.059 It's not a place for children. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:33.620 There'll just be a distraction there. 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:37.159 That's the message that we send at times. 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:38.939 Don't get me wrong. 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:42.080 I am not against children's ministry. 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:44.360 The very opposite is I think is the case 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.720 as we come to this passage today. 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:47.700 We need to love them and care for them 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:50.460 and serve the gospel to them in every way possible. 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:53.800 What I'm against is an attitude 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:56.400 that would only pretend to care 00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:58.259 about the spiritual health of a child 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.920 when really what they only want to do 00:15:59.920 --> 00:16:01.020 is just get them out of the way 00:16:01.020 --> 00:16:02.960 so that they can get on with more adult things. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.900 That's not right. 00:16:06.660 --> 00:16:08.680 And so sometimes we can actually be 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:11.000 a little bit more like the disciples than we think. 00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:12.540 We can find their attitude 00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:15.300 at least partially revealed in our hearts. 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:17.699 And we have to consciously fight against that. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.979 We can't view gospel ministry to kids 00:16:21.979 --> 00:16:25.419 as lesser ministry than any other ministry 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:28.539 because in Jesus' eyes in Mark chapter 10, 00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:31.519 it's as significant as gospel ministry to anyone else. 00:16:33.479 --> 00:16:37.339 Today, we celebrate today in Clementine's baptism 00:16:37.339 --> 00:16:40.459 the fruitfulness of gospel ministry to children. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:42.719 And it's not just one. 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:44.279 And it begins with Andy and Amy 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:46.720 and the time that they invest in reading their Bibles 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:48.160 and praying with their kids 00:16:48.160 --> 00:16:49.600 and making sure their kids are involved 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:51.040 with the things of the Lord. 00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:54.540 It moves on to our Lakeside Kids Discipleship class 00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:55.840 that happens every other week 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:57.879 as we're teaching, catechizing them 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.940 and teaching them the Bible 00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:00.940 and teaching them songs about the Lord 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:03.620 that they'll carry with them through life. 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:06.039 It goes to vacation Bible school 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.120 in the mountains 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:09.860 when she goes to class night by night 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.179 and here's the gospel preached 00:17:11.179 --> 00:17:13.279 so that she can go to grandma 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:15.359 and say, I think I want to know Jesus. 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:18.779 That's the fruitfulness of gospel ministry to kids. 00:17:18.919 --> 00:17:20.279 I'm not saying that that's a problem. 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:22.199 I'm saying let's actually care about it, 00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:23.639 legitimately care about it. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.740 Let's not bring kids in. 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.319 I know this is, 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.399 I'm preaching to people 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:28.859 that this doesn't apply to, I feel like, 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:30.319 because our church, all the kids are here. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.159 But it's on my mind. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:37.700 I love that our kids are in our worship. 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.160 I want them here. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.259 I don't care if they cry. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.940 And if they cry too loud, 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.960 we can go to the cry room 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.220 just like Abby just did. 00:17:44.580 --> 00:17:45.200 That's fine. 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:47.100 We actually moved the speaker in there this week 00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:49.160 so they can hear me at the same time. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.680 And if they get too loud in there, 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:52.279 maybe the speaker will drown them out. 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.920 I want the kids in here. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.980 But they need to know what worship is. 00:17:56.120 --> 00:17:57.980 They need to hear the truths of the Bible. 00:17:58.220 --> 00:18:00.480 We don't need to shove them in a corner somewhere 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.900 because they're a distraction. 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:03.120 They're a problem to us. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:05.120 No, let them come. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.680 Let them come. 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.839 And then let's take opportunity 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:10.660 as much as we can 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:13.579 to emphasize the truth of God's word 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.720 on their level. 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.860 They must be welcome to church. 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.599 They must be welcome to genuine worship. 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.579 We have to teach them these things. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:23.360 And then let's serve them the gospel 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:24.980 in every way that we possibly can 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:26.360 because it makes a difference. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.620 Just look at Clementine. 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:29.000 It makes a difference. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:32.079 I love that story so much 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:35.299 about the Blevins riding down the road 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.700 and Gus telling Winnie, 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.579 you don't know God. 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:42.240 And Winnie, who's probably two at the time, 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.259 says, yes, I do. 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.799 He's the creator of everyone and everything. 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.559 And she may not know what that means, 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:51.660 but she hears it every other Sunday night 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:53.000 when they go through their catechism 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.779 and Lakeside Kids, 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.099 and she's two years old at the time, 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.380 and she's saying this every week. 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.440 What is God? 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:59.460 God is the creator of everyone and everything. 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:02.920 And listen, when she's 12 and 15 and 25 and 45, 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:05.480 if you go to Winnie and say, what is God? 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.819 She may not believe it, 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:08.299 but she'll at least be able to say, 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:10.420 he's the creator of everyone and everything. 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:12.259 Our kids need that. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.579 They need that. 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:17.200 They need to stand next to you Sunday by Sunday 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:20.779 and sing, thou who was rich beyond all splendor, 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:23.680 all for love's sake became as poor. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:26.860 They need to see the expression on your face 00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:28.880 and the passion that you have for the gospel 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:30.460 and what Christ has done for you. 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:34.240 They need to see you open your Bible in a service. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:37.700 They need to see how you interact with other people. 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.480 They're not a distraction. 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:41.340 They're not a problem. 00:19:42.080 --> 00:19:42.860 They're gifts. 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.980 And we need to view them that way. 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.240 Well, I'm meddling. 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:52.319 Listen, notice how Jesus responded. 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:54.700 Verse 14, I love this. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:20:01.620 When Jesus saw it, he was indignant, it says. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:05.680 When he saw it, he was indignant. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:09.380 And again, the word Mark uses here is significant. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:12.380 It's the only place in the gospels, 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.640 this word for indignant, 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.940 it's the only place in the gospels that it's ever used. 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:18.320 It means to be incensed. 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:23.019 Jesus' anger with the disciples, 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:30.320 it wasn't the product of sentimentality toward children. 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.660 That's not what it is. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.900 It wasn't that he was just good with kids 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:35.580 better than most people, even though he was. 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.799 It's not just that. 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:38.140 It's not just that he loved them more 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.460 than other people loved them, 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.600 even though that's true. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:44.500 This anger wasn't the product of sentimentality. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:47.740 His anger was toward the disciples 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:50.819 because they were intentionally keeping people away from him. 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:54.400 It wasn't about the kids 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:57.099 so much as it was about his chosen 00:20:57.099 --> 00:21:00.319 preventing other people from getting to him. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:04.059 And very few times in the gospels 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:08.519 do we read about the severity of Christ's righteous anger. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:12.519 Two of those times we find taking place in the temple in Jerusalem, 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.179 we recognize them all the time 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:16.200 because Jesus drove out the money changers. 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:19.399 He was frustrated and angry at the corruption of their worship. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:21.720 This is the other time that we see it. 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.539 And what is it that he's angry about? 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.679 Not just the kids. 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:27.139 He's angry that his disciples 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:29.000 are actually keeping people from the gospel. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:31.299 They're keeping people from him. 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:33.779 So if we want to know what makes Christ angry, 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:37.720 what really sets off the righteous anger of Jesus, 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:40.000 it's when we corrupt his worship 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:42.859 and when we prevent people or hinder them 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:44.619 from receiving the gospel. 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:48.400 The disciples were representatives of Jesus. 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:51.079 And if they rejected these kids, 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:54.640 it was as if Jesus himself was rejecting them. 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.900 But nothing could have been further from the truth. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:59.200 Jesus wanted them. 00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:02.940 Which brings us to the next point. 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:04.300 Number two, the correction. 00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:06.060 The correction. 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:09.540 Look with me at verse 14. 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.960 Jesus corrects the disciples 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:18.160 and in the process answers two important questions here. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.200 The first one is this. 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:21.460 To whom does the kingdom of God belong? 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:24.200 To whom does the kingdom of God belong? 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:27.059 Answer, to such as these children. 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.079 Verse 14. 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.299 He said to them, 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:31.680 let the children come to me. 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:34.500 Do not hinder them. 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:38.900 For to such belongs the kingdom of God. 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:42.019 So the first part of this correction, 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.440 it has two imperatives 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:46.920 and then a statement to ground the imperatives. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:50.660 And you can almost imagine Jesus, 00:22:51.540 --> 00:22:53.500 almost like a frustrated parent, 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:57.580 emphatically maybe clicking through 00:22:57.580 --> 00:23:00.120 or clapping through this instruction to his disciples. 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:03.539 Let them come to me. 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:07.299 Do not hinder them, 00:23:07.979 --> 00:23:08.639 Jesus says. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.799 Imperative statements. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.339 Serious statements. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.439 Let them come. 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:14.259 And then he grounds it. 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.119 Why? 00:23:16.219 --> 00:23:18.779 Because such as these children 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:21.019 belong to the kingdom 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:24.659 and the kingdom belongs to them. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:27.779 The kingdom of God is a, 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:31.660 it's a reference to the sphere of salvation 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:35.140 over which Jesus is the king 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:38.840 and he rules over all those in the kingdom. 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:41.279 It includes every person 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:44.060 who has received forgiveness of sins 00:23:44.060 --> 00:23:45.040 and eternal life. 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:49.040 And Jesus here is emphatically proclaiming 00:23:49.040 --> 00:23:52.140 that this salvation belongs to people 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:54.420 such as these kids. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:58.640 The disciples thought that the kids were insignificant. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:01.800 Jesus puts them on equal ground. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:05.900 Remember the disciples have this elitism problem 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.380 at this point. 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.840 We've already seen it in other passages 00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:09.680 and the way that they dealt with other believers 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.300 that weren't a part of their little group. 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:12.360 And here we see it again, 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:14.540 except it's about a generational thing. 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:17.259 The kingdom is actually for us 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.660 is what they're thinking in their minds. 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.440 And then Jesus says, 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:21.300 no, the kingdom belongs to them, 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:23.080 which means that the disciples 00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:23.740 and these children 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:25.099 are then put on equal ground. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:27.880 This is a shocking statement to them. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.160 And Jesus doesn't mean 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.559 that all children are saved 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:33.400 just by the fact that they're a child. 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.220 That's not what he means. 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.700 But what he means is that children 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:37.980 can indeed receive the gospel 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:39.200 and be saved. 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:41.420 They can know Christ. 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:45.539 Kids, listen, give me your eyes. 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:48.300 You don't have to wait till you're an adult 00:24:48.300 --> 00:24:50.100 to know Christ. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:54.100 You don't have to wait till you're old like me 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:55.580 to figure that out. 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.720 You can know Jesus. 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:00.279 You can follow him. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.860 You can be his disciple. 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.759 And I'm not just saying that 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.700 because it's what I think. 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:07.960 I'm saying it because it's what we just read together 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.480 in the Bible. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.799 Did you see it in your own Bibles? 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.620 You've got them open. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.799 What does Jesus say to these children? 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:15.440 He says that the kingdom can belong to you. 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.680 You don't have to wait. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.240 Cast yourself on him. 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.160 Believe him. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.140 Follow him. 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:30.240 Not only does Jesus love children, 00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:36.340 but he affirms and respects their personhood 00:25:36.340 --> 00:25:38.259 and their spirituality. 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:41.120 They can't know Christ. 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:44.320 They must know Christ. 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:50.380 Spurgeon, perhaps with a touch of hyperbole, 00:25:51.020 --> 00:25:53.200 wrote this about children in his church. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:55.039 He said, 00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:57.480 I'll say broadly that I have more confidence 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:59.840 in the spiritual life of the children 00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:01.539 I have received into this church 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:03.840 than I have in the spiritual condition 00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:05.720 of the adults thus received. 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:08.620 I will go even further than that 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:10.640 and say that I have usually found 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:13.319 a clearer knowledge of the gospel 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:16.160 and a warmer love to Christ 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:18.019 in the child converts 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:19.720 than in the man converts. 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:22.839 I will even astonish you still more 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:25.100 by saying that I have sometimes met 00:26:25.100 --> 00:26:27.360 with a deeper spiritual experience 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.980 in children of 10 and 12 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:34.400 than I have in certain persons of 50 or 60. 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:38.059 You ever known a child that was more serious 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.180 about the Lord, it seemed, 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.220 than even their parents? 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:45.120 Now I told you that this verse answers the question 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:47.259 to whom does the kingdom belong? 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:50.339 And part of Jesus' answer here is that, 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:53.000 well, children can be saved. 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:55.140 Children can be a part of the kingdom. 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:56.519 But he doesn't mean that the kingdom 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:58.279 is exclusive to children. 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.819 Here's his point. 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:03.599 That no one is too insignificant 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.939 for the gospel. 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.039 No one. 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:10.279 No one is too insignificant 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.399 to come to Christ. 00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:14.319 No one is too insignificant 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.439 for the kingdom. 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:17.439 Salvation belongs to all 00:27:17.439 --> 00:27:18.439 who come to Jesus 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:21.220 like those kids came to Jesus. 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:23.259 Which brings us to the next question 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:25.339 in verse 15 that Jesus answers, 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:26.539 or at least the ones I came up with 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.259 that he answers here. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.700 Not only does he say 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.900 to whom does the kingdom belong, 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.079 well, it belongs to people 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.960 such as these children. 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.940 But then he says, 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.900 how can one enter the kingdom? 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:38.359 Answer, by becoming like a child. 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.680 That's the only way in. 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.220 That's the only way in. 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.980 By becoming like a child. 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.079 Verse 15. 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:46.279 Truly I say to you, 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.700 whoever does not receive 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:49.900 the kingdom of God like a child 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:52.160 shall not enter it. 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.660 Just read that again. 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:55.660 Let that settle in your mind. 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:58.259 Truly I say to you, 00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:59.840 says the Lord of all creation 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.560 in this moment, 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:03.300 whoever does not receive 00:28:03.300 --> 00:28:05.940 the kingdom of God like a child 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:09.600 shall not enter it. 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.940 How can one enter the kingdom? 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.759 How can one be saved? 00:28:14.040 --> 00:28:15.620 How can one receive salvation? 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.680 You can't do it 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:21.279 unless you receive it like a child. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:24.319 And notice the seriousness of this. 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:27.019 He opens with truly or verily 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:28.660 as you might read in your Bible. 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:29.799 What does he mean? 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:30.899 He's not just saying 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:32.119 that this is more trustworthy 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:33.619 than other statements he would make. 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.619 That's not what he means. 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:36.480 He's bringing a certain gravity 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.799 to the conversation here, 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.440 Jesus is. 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:39.180 He's saying, 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.079 listen to me, 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.619 essentially. 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:41.440 Listen, 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:43.519 get what I'm telling you right now. 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:45.639 This has gospel implications. 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:47.779 This has eternal implications, 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:49.420 this lesson Jesus is saying. 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:51.480 And then the seriousness is seen even further 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.539 in the final statement. 00:28:53.080 --> 00:28:55.400 Shall not enter it. 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:57.320 It's impossible. 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.420 You can't do it. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:01.320 You won't slide in any other way. 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:04.019 It's impossible for you to have salvation 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.920 and enter the kingdom 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:07.920 unless you do it like a child. 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:09.279 But what does that mean? 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:13.480 How can one receive salvation like a child? 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.880 There's other passages that teach us 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:21.620 that faith like a child 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:25.900 is really what results in eternal salvation. 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:29.560 But I don't think that's what Jesus means here. 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:33.780 He doesn't say anything about a child's faith here. 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:36.240 His reference is, 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:38.820 unless you come in the same condition 00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:40.800 as these children. 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:42.639 Kent Hughes, 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:42.899 I think, 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.659 clarifies it. 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:45.899 What Jesus has in mind here 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:47.940 is an objective state 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:50.579 that every child who has ever lived, 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:52.180 regardless of race, 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.119 culture, 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.299 or background, 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.399 has experienced. 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.500 Here's the state. 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.059 Helpless 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:59.379 dependence. 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:02.720 That's what Jesus is getting at here. 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:05.119 He's not saying you have to come 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.740 and be dedicated like these children. 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.799 That's not what he's saying. 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:11.379 He's not saying that you have to go through 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:16.440 a certain traditional religious type of formality 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.440 in order for it. 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:20.659 He's not even saying that you can't think deep thoughts, 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:22.339 that you have to be base 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:24.859 in your intellectual agreement with the scripture. 00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:25.879 That's not what he's saying. 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.299 He's saying that the only people 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:28.680 that experience salvation, 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:30.419 the only people that enter the kingdom, 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:33.339 are the people that are seeing themselves 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:35.319 in the same condition as these children, 00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:37.559 helplessly dependent. 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:41.399 To receive the kingdom as a child 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:44.139 is to recognize how desperately hopeless 00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:45.960 you are without Jesus 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:48.619 and to cast yourself wholly, 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:52.299 entirely on him and his mercy. 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:55.200 A child can do nothing for himself. 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:59.980 He can only rely on the power of others to survive. 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:02.599 And so it is with salvation. 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:05.640 You can do nothing for yourself. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:09.279 You can't earn your way to heaven. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:12.059 No amount of religious activity 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:14.420 will get you there, 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.720 will forgive your sins. 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.920 You can't atone for your sins 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:20.559 in any possible way 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:23.120 except to go to hell forever. 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:27.819 You're helpless. 00:31:28.659 --> 00:31:31.339 You're hopeless in and of yourself. 00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:33.559 And like a child, 00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:36.699 you must rely entirely 00:31:36.699 --> 00:31:40.919 on the power of Jesus alone to save you. 00:31:41.239 --> 00:31:42.779 That's what Jesus means. 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.919 Another way to think about this 00:31:45.919 --> 00:31:46.939 is to say it this way. 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:51.400 Only one who is helplessly insignificant 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.559 like a child 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:55.019 would ever come to Jesus. 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:58.299 And only those who come to Jesus 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.960 will enter the kingdom. 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:04.320 You won't ever come to Jesus 00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:06.039 unless you realize you need Jesus. 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.900 And only Jesus. 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:10.220 And only those who come to him 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:11.220 with that kind of faith 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.840 enter the kingdom. 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:15.960 We sing about this all the time. 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.700 We sing Rock of Ages a lot. 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.559 I like this song. 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:21.120 There's one verse that goes, 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:23.259 Nothing in my hands I bring 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:26.279 Simply to the cross I cling 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:29.580 Naked come to thee for dress 00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:32.440 Helpless look to thee for grace 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:35.880 Foul I to the fountain fly 00:32:35.880 --> 00:32:40.720 Wash me, Savior, or I die 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:46.680 Isn't that what salvation looks like? 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:49.080 At least in the process of conversion 00:32:49.080 --> 00:32:52.220 Someone finally getting to the point 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.539 where they cry out to God 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:53.840 and say, 00:32:54.080 --> 00:32:55.360 If you don't wash me 00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:56.759 I'll die 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:59.360 If you don't forgive me 00:32:59.360 --> 00:33:00.720 I'll go to hell 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:03.960 If you don't give me grace 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:05.440 It's over 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.299 For me 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:07.680 I have no hope 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.700 I'm helpless 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:11.019 So who 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:13.480 To whom does the kingdom belong? 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:15.660 To people such as these children 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:17.340 Well how can one enter the kingdom? 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.580 Become like a child 00:33:18.580 --> 00:33:19.880 How do you become like a child? 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:22.200 Realize how much like a child you already are 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:24.420 And come to him 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.880 Come to him 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:28.460 He wants you as much as he wants the kids 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:30.799 He wants you 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:32.600 Come to him 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:34.640 Finally we see the gospel 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:36.400 We've seen the tension in the passage 00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:38.300 We've seen the correction from Jesus 00:33:38.300 --> 00:33:40.640 And now we see the gospel of grace 00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.780 The gospel of grace 00:33:41.780 --> 00:33:42.420 Verse 16 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:45.640 Notice what Jesus does 00:33:45.640 --> 00:33:46.640 This is so wonderful 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.860 He took them in his arms 00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:51.040 And he blessed them 00:33:51.040 --> 00:33:53.220 Laying his hands on them 00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:56.880 We see this tender compassion of the Lord once again 00:33:56.880 --> 00:34:01.040 He corrects the disciples 00:34:01.040 --> 00:34:04.200 Luke says he then calls ahead to the parents 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:06.100 Bring them to me 00:34:06.100 --> 00:34:07.900 Bring them here 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:09.980 And what does he do? 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:11.240 One by one they come to him 00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:13.019 And he takes them up in his arms 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:15.300 And he holds them in his arms 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:16.740 Imagine what that moment would have been like 00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:17.320 For these kids 00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:18.059 They probably don't even 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:19.200 They don't even realize what's happening 00:34:19.200 --> 00:34:21.420 He takes them up in his arms 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.619 As their parents look on 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.740 And he blesses them 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:26.019 And he touches them 00:34:26.019 --> 00:34:29.099 MacArthur is helpful here 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:29.940 He notes that 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:33.119 God never blessed someone in the scripture 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.360 Who was cursed 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:38.759 And Jesus never pronounced a blessing on someone 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:41.259 Who didn't belong to him 00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:43.759 What's Jesus doing? 00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:45.659 This wasn't sentiment 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:47.980 It wasn't meaningless 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:51.199 It wasn't just being nice 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:55.500 I think Jesus was claiming that these children 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.840 That he was in that moment 00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:58.500 Taking into his arms 00:34:58.500 --> 00:35:00.380 Belonged with him 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:01.820 In the kingdom 00:35:01.820 --> 00:35:04.000 I think that's what he's saying 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:05.840 He's blessing them 00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:07.340 He's claiming them 00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:08.480 He's saying 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.659 They're mine 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:11.699 And I am theirs 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:14.820 But how can he do that? 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:19.719 What could those kids have possibly done 00:35:19.719 --> 00:35:22.579 To earn that kind of favor from God? 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:25.139 That's the point 00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:27.159 Nothing 00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:28.719 Nothing 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.759 They did nothing 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:35.380 This was all of Christ's grace 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:37.759 It was all grace 00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:39.079 Nothing else 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:41.440 They didn't do something good 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:43.500 It wasn't that they were so 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.860 Doggone cute 00:35:44.860 --> 00:35:50.000 It wasn't that they were morally innocent 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:51.260 Because all of us with children 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:53.559 Know that they're exactly not that 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:57.519 These were sinful kids 00:35:57.519 --> 00:36:00.500 These were depraved kids 00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:05.820 They hadn't yet experienced the extent of that depravity 00:36:05.820 --> 00:36:08.380 But if kids didn't 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.860 If kids aren't born 00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:11.300 With a depraved heart 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.380 Like the rest of us 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:14.820 Then there would never be a kid who dies 00:36:14.820 --> 00:36:15.860 But children die 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:16.680 Why? 00:36:17.600 --> 00:36:19.160 Because they have sinful hearts 00:36:19.160 --> 00:36:20.180 That must be redeemed 00:36:20.180 --> 00:36:22.900 Well how are these kids redeemed? 00:36:23.160 --> 00:36:24.559 Not because they did something 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:27.140 Because Jesus did something 00:36:27.140 --> 00:36:31.320 Imagine maybe 15 years later or so 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:35.440 Perhaps a little girl 00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:37.320 Taken in Jesus' arms that day 00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:39.140 Goes with her parents 00:36:39.140 --> 00:36:42.380 Maybe she's hearing Peter preach now 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:46.519 Last time her parents saw Peter 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:48.460 Peter was fussing at them 00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:49.420 For bringing him to Jesus 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:50.800 And now they're watching and listening 00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:51.980 As he preaches the gospel 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:54.140 This is all hypothetical 00:36:54.140 --> 00:36:57.620 And this little girl 00:36:57.620 --> 00:36:59.400 May be enamored with the message of the gospel 00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.200 And she looks at her parents 00:37:00.200 --> 00:37:01.180 Did I ever meet Jesus? 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:03.380 Yeah actually 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:05.800 He took you in his arms 00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:09.019 And he pronounced a blessing on you 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:11.019 And he claimed you as his own 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:13.300 To which the girl would 00:37:13.300 --> 00:37:14.960 Inevitably respond 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:16.180 Why? 00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:17.920 Did I do something? 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:19.160 I must have said something really funny 00:37:19.160 --> 00:37:20.160 You know I was a pretty smart kid 00:37:20.160 --> 00:37:22.519 No you didn't say anything 00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:25.100 In fact you didn't even want to go 00:37:25.100 --> 00:37:27.080 It was hard for us to get you to go 00:37:27.080 --> 00:37:30.380 But he took you in his arms 00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:30.800 Why? 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:32.660 Because he did 00:37:32.660 --> 00:37:34.700 Because he did 00:37:34.700 --> 00:37:37.300 Why did Jesus love me? 00:37:38.160 --> 00:37:39.420 Because he loves you 00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:41.300 Well what did I do? 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.140 Nothing 00:37:42.140 --> 00:37:44.780 It's his grace 00:37:44.780 --> 00:37:47.400 That's salvation 00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:49.620 That's the gospel of grace 00:37:49.620 --> 00:37:51.360 That's why so many theologians 00:37:51.360 --> 00:37:52.760 Come to this particular passage 00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:53.340 And they say 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:55.080 There is not a better picture 00:37:55.080 --> 00:37:55.940 In all of the Bible 00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:57.980 Of the grace of God 00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:58.660 And salvation 00:37:58.660 --> 00:37:59.300 Than this one 00:37:59.300 --> 00:38:01.320 Because these kids did nothing 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:02.519 They did nothing 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:03.200 To earn it 00:38:03.200 --> 00:38:05.240 God just gave it to them 00:38:05.240 --> 00:38:08.000 And so it is for each one of us 00:38:08.000 --> 00:38:08.780 Who know Christ 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:10.680 He didn't do anything to earn that 00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:12.339 Well why does he love you? 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:13.239 Because he loves you 00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:16.759 Why have you received grace? 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.659 Because he's gracious 00:38:18.659 --> 00:38:20.659 And he's kind 00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:23.539 And you may wonder 00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.799 How Jesus could have actually 00:38:24.799 --> 00:38:25.980 Shown this kind of grace 00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:27.019 To people who did nothing 00:38:27.019 --> 00:38:27.440 To earn it 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:28.339 It all seems too good 00:38:28.339 --> 00:38:28.839 To be true 00:38:28.840 --> 00:38:31.480 But his grace 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:32.740 Didn't come without a cost 00:38:32.740 --> 00:38:34.860 It just wasn't the kids 00:38:34.860 --> 00:38:35.539 Who paid it 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:39.180 Jesus could pronounce 00:38:39.180 --> 00:38:41.340 These children 00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:42.539 Belonging to him 00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:44.700 Because he was planning 00:38:44.700 --> 00:38:45.820 To go to the cross 00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:47.320 To pay the price 00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:47.960 For their sin 00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:51.700 The grace in the gospel 00:38:51.700 --> 00:38:53.260 Is not God coming to you 00:38:53.260 --> 00:38:53.559 And saying 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:55.539 Oh I'm so glad that you came 00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:56.420 I'm just going to turn 00:38:56.420 --> 00:38:57.720 A blind eye to your sin 00:38:57.720 --> 00:38:58.820 That's not what happens 00:38:58.820 --> 00:39:01.680 Sin must be paid for 00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:03.160 Every single sin 00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:04.500 Must be paid for 00:39:04.500 --> 00:39:06.019 And those who belong to Christ 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.760 It's not that God 00:39:06.760 --> 00:39:07.580 Turns a blind eye 00:39:07.580 --> 00:39:09.260 It's that he takes your sin 00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:10.240 And he puts them 00:39:10.240 --> 00:39:11.680 On his righteous son 00:39:11.680 --> 00:39:13.700 He puts them on Jesus Christ 00:39:13.700 --> 00:39:14.360 On the cross 00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:15.519 That's the significance 00:39:15.519 --> 00:39:16.140 Of the cross 00:39:16.140 --> 00:39:16.940 Without it 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:18.080 You have no forgiveness 00:39:18.080 --> 00:39:20.700 Why did Jesus come? 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:21.660 Why do we celebrate 00:39:21.660 --> 00:39:22.340 This incarnation? 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:24.380 He came to die 00:39:24.380 --> 00:39:26.000 He came to make 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.700 An atonement 00:39:26.700 --> 00:39:27.660 For the sins 00:39:27.660 --> 00:39:28.500 Of his people 00:39:28.500 --> 00:39:29.679 And when we come 00:39:29.679 --> 00:39:30.539 To him in faith 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:31.980 The grace that we receive 00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:32.500 From him 00:39:32.500 --> 00:39:33.360 Is not him 00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:34.599 Turning a blind eye to us 00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:35.719 It's him taking 00:39:35.719 --> 00:39:37.380 The sins that we have committed 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:38.599 And putting them 00:39:38.599 --> 00:39:40.780 Justly on his son 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:42.300 And then in return 00:39:42.300 --> 00:39:43.420 He takes the righteousness 00:39:43.420 --> 00:39:44.340 Of his son 00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:45.800 And he puts it on us 00:39:45.800 --> 00:39:46.559 So now 00:39:46.559 --> 00:39:47.739 He does not view you 00:39:47.739 --> 00:39:48.420 Anymore 00:39:48.420 --> 00:39:49.940 As a result of your sin 00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:50.780 He views you 00:39:50.780 --> 00:39:51.480 Through the lens 00:39:51.480 --> 00:39:52.159 Of the righteousness 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:53.400 Of his own son 00:39:53.400 --> 00:39:54.460 Jesus Christ 00:39:54.460 --> 00:39:55.880 That's why Jesus 00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:57.000 Could proclaim this 00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:58.659 Because he was paying 00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.699 For those kids' sin 00:39:59.699 --> 00:40:01.420 It's all of grace 00:40:01.420 --> 00:40:05.820 And this is what 00:40:05.820 --> 00:40:06.780 We come to reflect 00:40:06.780 --> 00:40:09.119 As we celebrate 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:10.599 And gather around 00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.240 The Lord's table 00:40:11.240 --> 00:40:11.720 This morning 00:40:11.720 --> 00:40:14.059 It all ends up 00:40:14.059 --> 00:40:14.679 At the cross 00:40:14.679 --> 00:40:17.900 It's all of God's grace 00:40:17.900 --> 00:40:20.980 It's only received 00:40:20.980 --> 00:40:21.760 Through faith 00:40:21.760 --> 00:40:23.880 That faith 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:24.760 Only comes 00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:26.320 In the heart 00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:26.760 Of those 00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:27.500 Who recognize 00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:28.579 Their deep need for it 00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.360 Which in itself 00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:30.400 Is a grace of God 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:33.119 And then it leads 00:40:33.119 --> 00:40:33.980 Them to the cross 00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:35.840 Because that's where 00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.519 It was accomplished 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:38.500 And that's where 00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:39.460 We rejoice this morning 00:40:39.460 --> 00:41:09.440 And that's where