Review article
https://doi.org/10.34075/cs.55.2.5
Why and how is the Kingdom of God for children? Exegetical account of Mark 10: 13-16
Ksenija Magda
orcid.org/0000-0002-9824-063X
; Center for Protestant Theology 'Matija Vlačić Ilirik', University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Tea Šestak
; Center for Protestant Theology 'Matija Vlačić Ilirik', University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
This paper is an exegetical approach to Mark 10:13-16, where children become Jesus’ object lesson in the instruction of adults about the nature of the kingdom of God. Jesus points out: ‘for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs’ (10:14). The paper pursues the thesis that the kingdom of God belongs to people who understand its counter-cultural nature with regards to the world, by accepting and ministering to the “least.” These are people who see themselves fully dependent on God, his love and his mercy – like children. The paper suggests that, in Mark, children have been the object in Jesus lesson, and help him confront adults with the nature of the kingdom of God. Jesus does not point to alleged innocence of children, which adults must mimic to enter God’s kingdom. However, although this paper does not presuppose a child’s ‘salvation’ on account of their innate innocence which adults have somehow lost, but should regain – as is often automatically understood from this text – indirectly it does concern the children. Pretenders to the
kingdom of God should accept and bless the “little ones”. The care for them is, namely, the first sign that a person belongs to the kingdom of God. (Prijevod K. Magda)
Keywords
children; ministry; kingdom of God; blessing; church leadership
Hrčak ID:
240745
URI
Publication date:
22.7.2020.
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