1. Matthew 19:14. Does the Kingdom belong to children?

In 18:3 of the same book he held children up as an example of what He wants of His followers. Here He says nearly the same, that the kingdom belongs, not to these, but to such as these: “innocent”, care-free, simple-minded, humble. He also lays hands on children and blesses them. But in my opinion He stops short here or anywhere in giving a free pass to all children. I read not of an “age of accountability” anywhere, though that phrase is quoted so often as to make one believe there is a Bible text containing those very words.

The “rules” of salvation apply to all humans, I believe. We hear of tiny children who have somehow gotten hold of the Gospel message and accepted it. We know of children who have passed the “magic” age, 12, and want nothing to do with Jesus. Age is not the determinant for salvation, but rather the grace of God.

We do recall though, the words of Paul, who tells us that the children of “holy” people are in some sense holy. So, the subject is not clear. Hence, a warning to all parents to be absolutely sure the child knows about and responds to the Gospel as soon as humanly possible. Waiting until age 12 may present some dangers.

2. Mark 10:18. Was Jesus denying His Deity here?

Not at all. He was merely stopping a glib professor of devotion to Jesus, in his tracks,. Jesus knew there was much missing in his profession, and the man himself would soon find it all out.

His question simply meant this: Do you know the reason you are calling Me good? Who told you that I was good? What does good mean to you? Isn’t it true that only God is good? Are you suggesting that I am God?

Of course, this went over the man’s head. He was looking for the free pass, or even the knight’s mission, that would get him through the pearly gates. How disappointing the encounter. He knew not that this Man was God, and he knew not that he himself was lost.

3. Mark 10:32. Why the amazement?

There is no reason expressed in Mark or any of the Gospels. One has suggested that since Jesus had been talking about His death, and had now started the trek that would end in that death, and furthermore was walking far ahead of His disciples, when normally He walked with them, something of awe and even fear struck their hearts. It was all so unusual to them. They had never seen their Master so intent, so separated from His surroundings. It scared them.

I cannot imagine, from the context, a better explanation, but again, we only can speculate.

4. Luke 19:9. Why does Jesus now speak of Zacchaeus’s salvation?

We are saved by grace through faith. That saving faith always results in good works being manifested. Now here is this tight-fisted scoundrel of a tax-collector giving half of his income to the poor, and promising a fourfold restitution to those he admittedly cheated. Salvation has come to this house!

No, no, Jesus hadn’t whispered to him a set of rules. He was touched by the Lord on the inside, and right away he knew what to do! That is salvation!

5. Mark 14:4. Was Judas the only one upset about Mary’s action?

Actually, Judas is not even mentioned by Mark, though he is elsewhere. He may have even been the instigator of the talk. But several disciples share the blame here. When we are honest with ourselves, we admit that seeing the generosity, the huge sacrificial ways of other people, we are tempted to lash out, and accuse, to cover our own poverty of spirit. We want them to be wrong so that we can justify our selfishness. But we are the guilty ones, and Jesus will ever bless the man or woman who is foolishly abundant to Jesus, whether in praise, or money, or service.

6. Luke 19:41-44. Has all this taken place?

Possibly. But I would like to point out that there is a wall still standing in Israel, that was not taken down by the Romans, but left there as a rebuke and a reminder by them of what they did and could have done.

We call that wall the “wailing” wall today. It’s in Jerusalem.