Jesus Blesses the Children †

Matthew 19:13-15*

Mark 10:13-16*

Luke 18:15-17*

            13 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray.

The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; 14 but Jesus said,

"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs."

Mt. 18:3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

            13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them;

and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them,

"Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."

16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

            15 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them;

and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16 But Jesus called for them and said,

"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."

John 3:3-5 * Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

The Rich Young Man †

Matthew 19:16-22*

Mark 10.17-22*

Luke 18:18-23*

            16 Then someone came to him and said,

"Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

20 The young man said to him, "I have kept all these; what do I still lack?"

21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 

            17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

19 You know the commandments:

'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud;

Honor your father and mother.' "

20 He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth."

21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

            18 A certain ruler asked him,

"Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

20 You know the commandments:

'You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness;

Honor your father and mother.' "

21 He replied, "I have kept all these since my youth."

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." 23 But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich.

On the Riches and Rewards of Discipleship †

Matthew 19:23-30 *

Mark 10:23-31 *

Luke 18:24-30 *

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, "Then who can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible."

27 Then Peter said in reply, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"

24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible."

28 Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you."

29 Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news,

 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age-houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions–and in the age to come eternal life.

31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

    26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”

27 He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.”

    28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.”

29 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,

30 who will not get back very much more in this age,

and in the age to come eternal life.”

† Cf. Kurt Aland, ed., Synopsis of the Four Gospels, rev. printing, 1985, secs. 253-255, pp. 216-219.

* NRSV