Longing to Be Loved

Longing to Be Loved

From Grace for All by Jim Stovall, Greta Smith, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN

April 22, 2026 · 5 min · Season 24 · Episode 887

About this episode

The episode explores the qualities of children that Jesus highlights in Mark 10:14-16, focusing on their longing to be loved and the implications for adult faith.

Mark 10:14-16 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Children can be a blessing, a burden, a joy, and a challenge all at the same time. Children can be innocent, open, and loving. They can be cruel, immature, and thoughtless. When Jesus says that we must "receive the kingdom of God as little children or we will never enter it," which qualities of a child does he have in mind? I have often contemplated what this passage might mean, but I cannot claim to know what the answer is. As I write this today, my best attempt to understand Jesus' command is the childlike quality of "longing to be loved" and accepting comfort and security. As we grow and mature, at least in progression of age if not in emotion and behavior, the qualities we develop are to take on responsibility and attempt to control our interactions with life's circumstances and those around us. But in these verses, all the…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jim Stovall, Greta Smith

Topics covered

  • childlike faith
  • longing for love
  • spiritual growth
  • Jesus' teachings
  • children in faith

Keywords

  • children
  • Jesus
  • faith
  • love
  • spirituality
  • growth
  • kingdom of God

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Mark 10:14-16

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